Introductory description

PH9G2 Classics of Analytic Philosophy

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

1. Analytic Philosophy – historical overview
2. Frege -- “On Sense and Reference”
3. Russell -- “On Denoting”
4. Moore -- “Proof of an External World”
5. Carnap – “Elimination of Metaphysics through the logical analysis of language”
6. Wittgenstein – Excerpts from Philosophical Investigations - Private language argument/philosophy as therapy.
7. Anscombe – “The First Person”
8. Quine -- “Two Dogmas of Empiricism”
9. Putnam -- “The Meaning of ‘Meaning’”

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Subject knowledge and understanding: students should have an advanced understanding of debates about specific analytic philosophers and some of their core ideas, as well as an appreciation of aspects of the historical development of analytic philosophy.
• Key skills: students should be able to come to an independent interpretation and evaluation of the relevant literature, explain complex positions and arguments in their own words, and communicate those ideas and arguments clearly both orally and in writing
• Cognitive skills: students should be able to identify the important claims within readings, understand the structure of arguments, test views for strengths and weaknesses, make pertinent use of examples, and compare the substance of views consistently.
• Subject‐specific skills: students should be able to express themselves using precise philosophical vocabulary, appreciate varieties of analytic approaches and their interconnections, and engage independently in philosophical debate.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Subject specific skills

(i) The ability to understand philosophical issues and arguments that figure in the background to contemporary work. (ii) The ability to critically engage with philosophical ideas and arguments.
(iii) The ability to articulate philosophical issues and arguments.
(iv) The ability to read philosophical texts, including an ability to understand and explain technical philosophical vocabulary from these historical texts, an awareness of debates about the historical context of these texts, and of debates about interpretation of certain key terms

Transferable skills

(i) The ability to communicate information (verbally and in written form) to people both expert and non-expert in the field.
(ii) The ability to analyse, evaluate, critique and apply complex information gathered from reading, reflection, reasoning or communication.
(iii) The ability to effectively manage schedules and deadlines.