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PY5216 Current Topics in the Philosophy of Physics

Academic year

2026 to 2027 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

20

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 11

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.

Planned timetable

To be confirmed.

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

Module Staff

Dr Katie Robertson

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

Module description

Modern physics has radical implications for the nature of reality. This module will address various philosophical problems raised by modern physics and the range of proposed solutions. Examples might include: the infamous measurement problem about Schrodinger鈥檚 cat that seems both dead and alive simultaneously and the question of whether special relativity is compatible with presentism, the view that 鈥榥ow鈥� is metaphysically privileged.

Assessment pattern

100% Coursework

Re-assessment

100% Coursework

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 seminar (X11 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

22

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

Guided independent study hours

176

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

Intended learning outcomes

  • By the end of the module, students will be able to recognise key problems modern physics raises for the nature of reality.
  • By the end of the module, students will be able to identify the range of possible solutions for problems such as the measurement problem in the philosophy of quantum mechanics.
  • By the end of the module, students will be able to comprehend philosophical solutions to problems in quantum mechanics, for example altering physical laws or positing a multiverse.
  • By the end of the module, students will be able to consider, in an informed way, problems related to the nature of time.
  • By the end of the module, students will be able to write competently and meaningfully on matters such as the direction of time, temporal asymmetries in physics, and how these relate to causal asymmetries.