PHIL31090 Hume and Kant

Academic Year 2024/2025

In this course we will survey, through selected primary and secondary source readings, the overall views of two of the most important philosophers of the Eighteenth century Enlightenment period: David Hume and Immanuel Kant. (For background, the lecturer's book is available online via UCD Library, or you can email the lecturer (jim.oshea@ucd.ie): James R. O'Shea, _Kant's Critique of Pure Reason: An Introduction_, Routledge (or Acumen) 2012. Topics will include all or some of the following: scepticism and the nature of knowledge and belief; consciousness and the nature of the self; perception, identity, and causality; freedom, morality, and religion. Hume's empiricist and sceptical naturalist outlook was famously opposed by the 'transcendental idealism' of Kant. Descendants of Humean and Kantian views are vital to disputes today across the spectrum from metaphysics and epistemology to aesthetics, morality, and political philosophy, so this course will provide useful background for many of our other modules. Students should be aware that Kant's writing in particular is often difficult to grasp and would be best approached by students who have already completed one or more philosophy modules. Finally, this module is also an excellent lead in to the module 'Kant on Freedom & Morality', in years where the latter is offered (it is not a required pre-requisite for the latter, however).

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Having completed this module students should be able to articulate the central claims in Hume's Enquiry concerning Human Understanding and in Kant's groundbreaking Critique of Pure Reason. Students will also be able to identify some of the leading characteristics of that period of thought known as the Enlightenment. The module will help students to understand and think creatively about central notions in epistemology and metaphysics, to gain facility with such concepts as empiricism, transcendental arguments, causal inference, our knowledge of space and time, substance and identity, the unity of consciousness, and sceptical questions arising from problems of perception and objectivity. One central learning outcome will be further developing one's ability to structure an interpretive and argumentative essay in philosophy clearly and forcefully, improving one's ability to produce good analytical, argument-based written work in general. Students will gain practice in thinking hard about complex concepts and argument forms both in their historical context and in their continuing importance today.

Indicative Module Content:

This module provides a complete introduction to the central themes in Hume's epistemology and in Kant's Critique of Pure Reason, also providing background on the Enlightenment and on Hume and Kant's predecessors..

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Tutorial

10
Specified Learning Activities

66
Autonomous Student Learning

100
Total

200
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
In addition to lectures (including welcoming any questions at all from students), the analytical and interpretive essay as well as any short assignments will focus on improving critical thinking skills and logical analysis of texts, concepts, and arguments. If there are any very short online assignments and/or a quiz (announced ahead of time) these would seek to enhance basic accumulating knowledge of central concepts, the interpretation of and critical reflection on key texts, and imaginative reflection on the various conceptual issues raised. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

** IMPORTANT NOTE: In years prior to 2020 this module was taught at level 2 as 'PHIL20060 Hume & Kant', and in 2020-21 it was taught at level 3 as 'PHIL30820' but under the different module title: 'Kant's Critique of Pure Reason'. Those modules were the same in content as this present module, so IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY TAKEN PHIL20060 or PHIL30820, YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE.

Learning Recommendations:

There are no pre-requisites for this module. Since the required 18th century primary source readings in Hume and (especially) Kant are quite technical and complex, it is recommended that students have take at least one or two philosophy modules prior to taking this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
PHIL30820 - Hume and Kant


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Exam (In-person): Final Exam in the RDS. n/a Graded No

40
Participation in Learning Activities: Attendance & written activities in tutorials & lectures. MUST PASS: students attend at least HALF of the lectures & tutorials in person in order to pass the module. ('In-Module Resit' = an oral exam.) n/a Graded Yes

20
Assignment(Including Essay): 1350–1650 word Essay assignment n/a Graded No

20
Exam (In-person): In-module 50 minute midterm exam on the primary source texts we'll have read through week 5. n/a Graded No

20

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.