PY5404 Conceptual Engineering

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

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 coordinator

Dr P M Greenough

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

Module Staff

Dr S Roca Royes

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

Module description

MLitt students in this module investigate the ways in which we can criticise and improve our concepts, which is the topic of the sub-discipline known as Conceptual Engineering. The concepts in question might be evaluated and improved in manifold ways. For example, Tarski, Scharp, and Burgess urge us to replace the notion of truth in order to avoid paradox; Carnap recommends that we tidy up the concept of probability if it is to be fit for scientific purposes; Haslanger thinks we need revisionary analyses of the concepts woman, man, and of various racial groups. The task of philosophy on such a view is to discover conceptual deficiencies and then provide strategies for improving (or replacing) our conceptual repertoire. As such, conceptual engineering can play a central role in all parts of philosophy and beyond. The three main questions we shall address are: What is conceptual engineering? What forms does (and should) it take? Can it be successfully successfully carried out?

Relationship to other modules

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

2 hours lectures (11 weeks)