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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2017/2018

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences : Philosophy

Undergraduate Course: Belief, Desire and Rational Choice (PHIL10159)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course introduces the basics of contemporary decision theory, discusses general norms on rational belief and desire, and investigates whether decision theory can serve as a functionalist framework to define the concepts of (graded) belief and desire.
Course description Decision theory systematizes the connection between belief, desire, and rational choice -- very roughly, that rational agents act in a way that would bring them closer to satisfying their desires if the world were as they believe it to be. After introducing the basic framework of decision theory, this course will focus on two questions. First, does rationality impose constraints on what an agent may believe or desire, and if so, what are these constraints? Second, can we turn around the principles of decision theory and define (or explicate) an agent's beliefs and desires in terms of their choices?

Decision theory has proved useful in many areas of philosophy, from philosophy of science to epistemology to political philosophy. Unfortunately the literature is often difficult and technical. A central aim of this course is to isolate the simple ideas behind those technicalities.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed: Logic 1 (PHIL08004)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesVisiting students should have at least 3 Philosophy courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses.
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  0
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 22, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 174 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Class presentation: 20%
Final essay (2500 words): 80%
Feedback Not entered
No Exam Information
Academic year 2017/18, Part-year visiting students only (VV1) Quota:  0
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 22, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 174 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Class presentation: 20%
Final essay (2500 words): 80%
Feedback Not entered
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Students will have developed skills in understanding, interpreting, and critically engaging with philosophical texts, and learn not to be intimidated by formulas.
  2. Students will have seen how superficially very different areas of philosophy may be closely connected, and they will have gained insights that could prove useful in other areas.
  3. Students will have practised critical thinking, constructive discussion, and development of their own ideas.
  4. Students will have practised presenting the content of a research article.
  5. Students will have practised writing a critical essay on decision theory, the nature of rationality, and/or the problem of intentionality.
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsPhilosophy,Belief,Rational,Choice,Desire
Contacts
Course organiserDr Wolfgang Schwarz
Tel:
Email: Jamie.Morton@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Samantha Bell
Tel: (0131 6)50 3602
Email:
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