PHIL 100 : Mind, Knowledge, and Reality

Arts

2023 Semester One (1233) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Metaphysics deals with fundamental problems about the nature of the world and human beings, for example, questions about the existence of God, the nature of time, the relationship between mind and body and the nature of identity and the self. The theory of knowledge studies the sources, limits and justification of human knowledge and understanding as distinct from opinion or belief.

Course Overview

There will be three parts, each of which will be four weeks long:

(1)  Plato and Descartes

(2)  Knowledge and Science

(3)  Personal Identity and Ultimate Reality

The first part of the course, taught by Robert Wicks, will begin by discussing critically the difference between mythology and philosophy as a prelude to how Plato believes that the absolute truth is timeless and unchanging. It will continue with Descartes’s quest for certainty (“I think, therefore I am”), along with his proofs for the existence of God and the immortal soul. 

The second part of the course (instructor to be determined) will discuss historical and contemporary philosophical debates about knowledge: about how we understand cause-and-effect relationships in the natural world around us, about the nature of knowledge itself, and about how philosophy and science intersect and interact.

The third part of the course, taught by Tim Mulgan, will address personal identity over time and the nature of ultimate reality. We will focus on two key questions: What makes you the same person you were yesterday? Why is there something rather than nothing?

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Be able to display knowledge and understanding of essential content and significance of their chosen fields of study (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.1 and 5.2)
  2. Be able to identify and evaluate the premises, conditions and contexts of knowledge claims (Capability 2.1 and 4.1)
  3. Be able to communicate effectively in academic English (capability 4.1)
  4. Be capable of intellectual flexibility and self-assessment (capability 5.2)
  5. Be able to understand the historical and cultural significance of philosophical theories (capability 6.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
1000-word essay 20% Individual Coursework
1000-word essay 20% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 60% Individual Examination

no plussage

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 24 hours of lectures, a 1-hour tutorial per week (12 hours),  80 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 34 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at all lectures and tutorials.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Tutorials will not be available as recordings.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable delivery.
This course may be available for delivery to students studying remotely outside NZ in 2023.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

We will see what can be done to help increase attendance at tutorials.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 28/10/2022 06:56 a.m.