58勛圖

PY4601 Paradoxes

Academic year

2026 to 2027 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

To be confirmed.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr C J Masterman

Dr C J Masterman
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr P Greenough, Dr Christopher Masterman

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Tensions in our understanding of our concepts and the world can often give rise to paradoxes: situations where we are led from considerations we accept and may even find obvious to conclusions which we find very surprising or even ridiculous. Probably the best way to get a feel for how to deal with paradoxes and the issues which lie behind them is to examine a variety of paradoxes, both ancient and contemporary.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS PY1012

Anti-requisites

YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE IF YOU TAKE PY4648

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 2-hour lecture and 1 x 1-hour seminar.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Critically understand the nature, source, unity, and scope of philosophical paradox
  • Analyse and evaluate the critical discussion of paradoxes found in the literature
  • Formulate and articulate their own views on these issues, including detailed comparisons with various solutions in the literature
  • Provide a rational defence of these views in written work and in discussion