Prospectus

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Logic and the First Person

Course
2017-2018

Admission requirements

Admission to one of the following programmes is required:

  • MA Philosophy 60 EC: specialisation History and Philosophy of the Sciences

  • MA Philosophy 120 EC: specialisation Philosophy of Natural Sciences

  • MA Philosophy 120 EC: specialisation Philosophy of Psychology

Description

Logical questions are independent of psychological questions. But, as a theory of validity of inferences and rationality of our judgements, logic relates to what judging agents do. How can logic be objective if it takes its starting-point in the inferences and judgements we make? Is the judging agent perhaps a transcendental or some other kind of ideal subject?

The role of the first person in logic will be investigated by studying the writings of Frege, Wittgenstein, Martin-Löf, and others.

Course objectives

The course aims to introduce the student to the most recent discussions in philosophy of logic regarding its foundation. New interpretations of Frege’s account of logic will be read carefully, and students may come to understand how logic relates to epistemology and speech act theory.

Students who successfully complete the course will have a good understanding of:

  • philosophy of logic, theory of judgement and assertion, epistemology, and how these fields relate to each other.

Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:

  • apply their research skills to a new, difficult and deep philosophical problem;

  • ask critical questions relating to difficult philosophical texts;

  • write a thesis with a clear position, argumentation and analysis of the relevant concepts.

Timetable

The timetable is available on the MA Philosophy 60 EC website and the MA Philosophy 120 EC website

Mode of instruction

  • Seminars

Class attendance is required.

Course Load

Total course load 10 EC x 28 hours= 280 hours

  • Attending seminars (14 x 3 hours): 42 hours

  • Study of compulsory literature / preparation seminars: 96 hours:

  • Writing final paper: 142 hours

Assessment method

Assessment

  • Paper (100%)

Class preparation and attendance are required and are conditions for submission of the paper.

Weighing

The final mark for the course is determined by the final paper. Class preparation and attendance are required and are conditions for submission of the paper.

Resit

The resit will consists of one examination, a paper. Class preparation and attendance are required and are conditions for submission of the paper for the resit. Students who have obtained a satisfactory grade for the first examination cannot take the resit.

Exam review

Discussion of the paper is by appointment after publication of the final grade.

Blackboard

Blackboard will be used for:

  • posting literature

  • communication

Reading list

Literature will be made available through Blackboard at the start of the course.

Registration

Enrolment for courses and exams through uSis is mandatory.

Students are strongly advised to register in uSis through the activity number which can be found in the timetables for courses and exams.

Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs

Not applicable.

Contact

Dr. M.S. van der Schaar

Remarks

None.