Philosophy

Reason and Argument

Module code: V7079
Level 4
15 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Lecture, Seminar
Assessment modes: Coursework

The aim of this module is to help you to become reflective about the way arguments work by looking at a number of paradoxes.  

Paradoxes puzzle and perplex us. If you're going to sort them out, you have to clearly lay out the arguments and assumptions that lie behind the puzzlement and perplexity. And doing that helps you to see how to analyse arguments more generally.

You'll see that most paradoxes have several solutions. Understanding the reasons in favour of different solutions will help you to see how arguments work, and how assumptions are often in play – ones that you may not have thought about before.

Module learning outcomes

• Characterise and distinguish between central argument forms.
• Be able to identify some invalid arguments.
• Understand the concept of thruth-functionality and validity.
• Show understanding of some famous philosophical paradoxes and approaches to them.