Admission requirements
Admission to one of the following programmes is required:
MA Philosophy 60 EC: specialisation Philosophy of Knowledge
MA Philosophy 120 EC: specialisation Philosophy of Natural Sciences
MA Philosophy 120 EC: specialisation Philosophy of Psychology
Description
The idea of infinity has played an important role in Western philosophy ever since the pre-Socratics. It has been understood as the unlimited, boundless, immeasurable, and as such was at the centre of Zeno’s paradoxes of motion, questions about the eternity of the world, and foundational problems in the philosophy of mathematics. But it has also been understood as the complete, whole, absolute, perfect and self-sufficient; and it is as such that it has exercised not only theological reflection, but also all the philosophical attempts to understand and deal with our own finitude and contingency. Perhaps most fundamentally, the infinite seems to push human understanding to its limit: the infinite is precisely that which our finite intellect cannot grasp. But by making that very statement, we seem to have grasped the infinite. We thus come face to face with a paradox inherent in any attempt to think through our own finite nature.
In this course, we will pursue the infinite across space and time. Using Adrian Moore’s book The Infinite as our core text, and supplying this with a variety of shorter texts, we will delve into the history of the topic; explore the adventurous world of the mathematics of the infinite; and consider the implications of the infinite on our own status as finite intellects. We will pay special attention to Kant, Wittgenstein and recent analytic work on infinity in physics and mathematics; while Moore will also introduce us to the somewhat unlikely, but according to his interpretation crucial, trio of Hegel-Spinoza-Nietzsche. Of course we will take care to uncover and understand the links between these very disparate thinkers.
As is no doubt clear from this description, our readings will be varied and will require a solid basis in philosophy. No mathematical background is required, but one must be prepared to spend a non-trivial amount of time on the conceptual aspects of modern mathematical theories of the infinite. (If fear of maths might dissuade you from taking this course – and it probably shouldn't – contact me and we’ll discuss it.)
Course objectives
This course aims to give students a detailed insight into the ways that thinking about infinity has shaped and continues to shape philosophical reflection. In particular it aims to introduce students both to mathematical and metaphysical conceptions of infinity and the ways that they elucidate our own status as finite thinkers.
Students who successfully complete this course will have a good understanding of:
mathematical theories of the infinite and their place in contemporary philosophy;
metaphysical ideas of the infinite, and how they have shaped metaphysical reflection;
the meta-philosophical significance of reflections on the infinite.
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
explain a variety of theories and ways of thinking about the infinite and explore the connections between them;
apply these ideas in contemporary debates and draw well-argued philosophical conclusions from them.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
- Seminars
Class attendance is required.
Assessment method
Assessment
Mid-term paper (25%)
Class presentation (15%)
Final paper (60%)
Active participation in class is required for admission to the exam.
Weighting
The final mark for the course is established by determination of the weighted average of the two subtests (see above).
Resit
The resit covers the following exam component: paper (100%). The mark for the resit replaces any partial result. Active participation in class is required for admission to the resit.
Students who have obtained a satisfactory grade for the first examination cannot take the resit.
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
A. W. Moore, The Infinite, Third Edition. (It is important that you have the third edition, since this has been substantially enlarged.)
Other materials to be announced and/or distributed on Brightspace.
Registration
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available on the website
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Not applicable.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the information bar at the right hand side of the page.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc., contact the Education Administration Office Huizinga
Remarks
Not applicable.