58勛圖

PY4607 Continental European Philosophy from Descartes to Leibniz

Academic year

2026 to 2027 Semester 2

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 D L Harmon

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

Module Staff

Dr David Harmon

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

Module description

This module will focus upon the way in which Continental European philosophers of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century explored the problems inherent in the metaphysics of Descartes. Special attention will be given to questions such as the proper definition of substance; how to understand mind-body interaction, and causation in general; and what the relation between is between God and the universe. The systems of Descartes, Malebranche, and Spinoza will be examined as three very different ways of attempting to develop a coherent set of answers to these questions. In each case an attempt will be made to connect sometimes bizarre metaphysical theses with the ordinary world as experienced by human beings and as explored by natural scientists.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS PY1012

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 2-hour lecture, 1 x 1-hour seminar

Scheduled learning hours

30

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

260

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.