PHIL31120 Wittgenstein

Academic Year 2024/2025

Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951) is one of the most important philosophers of the twentieth century. The course will take you from his first enigmatic book, the _Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus_ (1921), the only book published during his lifetime, through a chronological and thematic selection of his posthumously published writings on all his most famous ideas. All these readings are to be found in the second edition of Anthony Kenny's paperback, _The Wittgenstein Reader (2nd ed.)_ (Blackwell, 2006). Topics covered include: the nature of philosophy, meaning and understanding, intentionality, the will, private experience, the 'first person', scepticism and certainty, ethics and faith. Wittgenstein famously revolutionised the practice of philosophy twice during the course of the 20th century, in two very different ways. Through close in-class discussions of the text and short written assignments in seminar-style, participative fashion (in-person attendance is essential!), we hope to bring out some of the excitement and deep puzzlement that Wittgenstein's writings continue to elicit in everyone, experts and beginners alike.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the course, students will be able to describe and critically engage with the main ideas and arguments concerning language, mind and the nature of rule-governed practices in Wittgenstein s later writings.

Indicative Module Content:

Topics covered include Wittgenstein and 20th century philosophy aon the following central problems:

The nature of philosophy,
meaning and understanding,
intentionality,
the will,
private experience,
the 'first person' ('I'),
scepticism and certainty,
ethics and faith.

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:
The module will be run as a series of face-to-face seminars (in-person attendance throughout is absolutely essential for this module) in which the students are expected to contribute and to have read and thought through the short extracts from Wittgenstein's writings in advance. (All the assigned readings are in Anthony Kenny ed., _The Wittgenstein Reader_ 2nd ed., Blackwell Publ. 2006.) Tutorials will support these seminars by discussing key sections of the text, with help from the two recommended secondary sources by Marie McGinn and by Anthony Kenny (see 'Reading List'). Independent work on the texts, conceptual problem-solving in groups and presenting ideas in seminars and tutorials will enable students to develop their understanding of the philosophical ideas. The assessment model of writing a total of five short but careful (1-2 page) reflections on the weekly reading selections throughout the semester and submitted in advance of the respective weekly tutorials and seminar that week will encourage student engagement throughout the course. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
PHIL30890 - Wittgenstein


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment(Including Essay): The 5 assignments are due on student-chosen Mondays throughout the semester (2 in the first half, 3 in the second half of the module). n/a Graded No

60
Participation in Learning Activities: In-person engagement in both tutorials and lectures is absolutely essential for this seminar-style module. n/a Graded No

15
Exam (In-person): 2-hour exam in RDS. n/a Graded No

25

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn 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
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individually by Brightspace comments on the short assignments (ONLY for assignments submitted ON TIME for that week). Discussion with the Group in seminars about what constitutes a good written assignment for this module.

Only ONE REQUIRED text for the module. At present it is only available in print (paperback), not as an e-book or pdf:

* Anthony Kenny, editor, _The Wittgenstein Reader_ 2nd edition [NOT the 1st ed.]. Oxford: Blackwell Publ., 2006.
ISBN-13 (pbk): 978-1-4051-3584-9.

Two useful secondary texts:
-Anthony Kenny, _Wittgenstein_ (Revised Edition). Oxford: Blackwell, 2008. (Matches well with the 'Reader'.) ISBN: 978-1-405-15449-9
-Marie McGinn, _The Routledge Guidebook to Wittgenstein’s Philosophical Investigations_. London: Routledge, 2013. ISBN: 978-0-415-45256-4 (pbk).