Course module - Philosophy of Mathematics **FOR 2013/14**
Code : PHIL30721 Credit rating: 20 Semester : 1
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Aims |
Objectives |
Assessment |
Information
|
Course Content |
Course Materials |
Tutors |
Timetable |
Teaching Methods |
Keywords
Aims
The course aims to:
• give a detailed understanding of some important debates within contemporary philosophy of mathematics;
• enable students to engage critically with some recent contributions to these debates; and
• enhance students’ powers of critical analysis, reasoning and independent thought.
Objectives (Learning Outcomes)
On successful completion of this course unit, students will be able to demonstrate:
• a detailed critical understanding of some important debates within contemporary philosophy of mathematics;
• a thorough knowledge of some recent contributions to these debates; and
• an ability to present carefully-argued and independent lines of thought in this area.
Assessment
TBC
Information
Pre-requisites: 40 PHIL credits at Level 2
Course Content
This course will introduce students to the lively contemporary debate over the metaphysics of mathematics. Are there such things as numbers (or other mathematical objects)? If so, what they are like, and how do we manage to acquire knowledge of them? If these objects do not exist, then what is it that we know when we know that 2+2=4?
Discussion of technicalities will be kept to a minimum, and no special expertise in mathematics will be assumed. The arguments discussed raise important questions about the relation of philosophy to mathematics, science, and ordinary talk and belief; the course will place particular stress on these issues.
Course Materials
Tutor(s)
Liggins, Dr David
Timetable
For 2013/14
LECTURE: Tuesdays 9.00-10.00 am and 1.00-2.00 pm
TUTORIALS: tbc
Teaching Methods
Two one-hour lectures and one one-hour tutorial weekly
Preliminary reading
Shapiro, Stewart 2000. Thinking About Mathematics, chapters 1 and 2.
Colyvan, Mark 2001. The Indispensability of Mathematics, chapters 1, 2, 4, 5.
Keywords
philosophy of mathematics
metaphysics