| Unit name | Space, Time and Matter |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHIL30125 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Ladyman |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
N/A |
| Co-requisites |
N/A |
| School/department | Department of Philosophy |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
What is space? What is time? What is matter? The aim of this unit is to examine the different answers that have been put forward to these fundamental metaphysical questions within natural philosophy. Particular focus will be placed upon ancient philosophy (Presocratics, Plato, Aristotle), early modern natural philosophy (Descartes, Newton, Leibniz) and 18th/19th century physical theory (Boscovich, Maxwell, Mach). Students will be provided with a self-contained introduction to relevant areas of physics, with the key mathematical and physical ideas discussed in parallel to the philosophical debates.
By the end of the unit, students be able to:
1. demonstrate a sophisticated knowledge and in-depth understanding of the key debates within the philosophy of space, time and matter.
2. explain, in a written argument, the strengths and weaknesses of positions taken within these debates, with a sophistication appropriate to level H/6.
3. critically assess and demonstrate sophisticated knowledge of the key arguments made in historical and contemporary literature concerning these positions and debates.
4. communicate these arguments with clear, fluent writing of a standard appropriate to level H/6.
5. demonstrated research skills of a standard appropriate to level H/6.
1 hour lecture and 1 hour seminar per week
Formative: one 2500 word essay (ILOs 1-5)
Summative: one 3-hour unseen exam (ILOs 1-5)
Huggett, Space From Zeno to Einstein, Bradford Books MIT (1999)
Hesse, Forces and Fields, Dover Publications (2005)
Salmon, Zeno's Paradoxes, Hackett Publishing (2001)
Jammer, Concepts of space, Dover Publications (2003)
