Module description
This module will introduce and explain a range of concepts from set theory, philosophy of language and metaphysics, probability theory, and decision theory. These will include the notions of set, cardinality, infinity, analyticity, necessity, possible worlds, reference, scope, probability, conditionals, utility, decision rules, dominance, backward induction. The emphasis will be on basic ideas rather than on technical elaboration. The concepts will be sketched, illustrated by examples, and made familiar via exercises. Students will acquire a basic grasp of many technical ideas that are taken for granted in more advanced philosophical debates.
Assessment details
Summative assessment: 1 x 2-hour exam (100%)
Formative assessment: weekly exercises
Educational aims & objectives
The module introduces students to a range of technical notions that are needed to understand contemporary philosophical debates, and which would otherwise be hard for the students to acquire.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, the students will be able to demonstrate intellectual, transferable and practicable skills appropriate to a Level 4 module and in particular will be able to demonstrate familiarity with the basic concepts of:
- Elementary set theory
- Metaphysics of modality
- The theory of reference
- Probability theory
- Decision theory
- Game theory
Teaching pattern
One two-hour weekly lecture and one one-hour weekly seminar over ten weeks.