PHIL41330 Philosophy of Time

Academic Year 2023/2024

This course addresses some fundamental questions about time. We will think about questions such as: is the distinction between past, present and future moments absolute or merely relative? What sort of picture of time do we get from comtemporary physics, and should we be willing to modify that picture for purely philosophical reasons? What is change? What is it for time to pass? Could there be time without change? Do past and future objects and events exist? If so, are they as 'real' as present objects and events? If not, how do we account for the truth of facts that seem to require thier existence, such as the fact that yesterday's earthquake casued today's building collapse Is the existence of the future consistent with our being free? Do ordinary persisting things have temporal as well as spatial parts? is time travel possible? And what is the nature of our experience of time?

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

As a result of studying this course, students will (i) gain a good understanding of some of the key questions and theories in contemporary philosophy of time; (ii) gain the confidence to critically engage with classic and contemporary texts in the philosophy of time; and (iii) gain a greater familiarity with the methodology, tools and techniques of analytical metaphysics. Some key general aims of the course are to: (i) to cultivate rigorous, creative and independent thought anbout philosophical problems; (ii) to develop research skills, especially the ability to produce research-level papers and presentations; (iii) develop the ability to defend and discuss philosophical positions.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

24
Autonomous Student Learning

226
Total

250
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Not yet recorded 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Presentation: presentation Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

10
Essay: end of semester essay Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

60
Essay: mid-term essay Week 5 n/a Graded No

30

Carry forward of passed components
Not yet recorded
 

Not yet recorded
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Not yet recorded
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
      
Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 10:00 - 11:50