Admission requirements
Admission to (one of) the programme(s) listed under Part of in the information bar on the right.
Description
What does it mean to be rational—and why should we care? This advanced MA-level course invites you to explore foundational and contemporary debates about rationality in philosophy. We begin with rational choice theory and its critics, and then move to more abstract questions: is rationality best understood as responsiveness to reasons, or as conforming to normative requirements? What distinguishes a reason from a requirement? And can there be a reason to be rational?
We also examine issues such as rationality over time, skepticism about practical reason, and related problems in action theory. If time permits, the course may include a discussion of alternative conceptions of rationality, including Kantian theories and their critics.
The course is discussion-based and text-focused, with an emphasis on careful reading, critical analysis, and conceptual clarity. It is particularly suited for students with an interest in ethics, theoretical philosophy, action theory, or decision theory.
Course objectives
Students who successfully complete the course should be able to:
Explain and critically assess central ideas in standard rational choice theory and its critiques.
Distinguish between different philosophical conceptions of rationality, including reasons-responsiveness and norm-conformity.
Explain the philosophical significance of the distinction between reasons and rational requirements.
Explain and critically assess philosophical debates about rationality over time, including challenges related to temporal inconsistency.
Engage with debates about the normativity of rationality, including the question of whether there is a reason to be rational.
Interpret and discuss key texts in action theory and skepticism about practical reason.
Formulate coherent and well-supported philosophical arguments in both oral discussion and written work.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Seminar.
Assessment method
Assessment
Weekly assignments of approximately 500 words each (30% of the final grade)
One final paper of app. 3500 words (60% of the final grade), revised in the light of peer reviews.
Peer reviews of final papers (10% of final grade)
Presence and active participation (mandatory)
The final mark for the course is established by (i) determination of the weighted average combined with (ii) additional requirements (i.e., presence and active participation). To pass the course, the weighted average of the partial grades must be 5.5 or higher.
The weekly assignments, the peer reviews, as well as the final paper will receive feedback and grades through BrightSpace and TurnItIn. Attendance will be tracked using BrightSpace as well.
Resit
One resit will be offered, consisting of one substantial paper of app. 3500 words. This will replace the final paper; it does not replace the results of assignments and peer reviews.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Registration Contract teaching and Exchange
Information for those interested in taking this course in context of Contract teaching (with taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.
For the registration of exchange students contact Humanities International Office.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the information bar on the right.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Huizinga