Module manager: Alastair Wilson
Email: a.j.j.wilson@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as an Elective
Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Language and Metaphysics are core areas of modern analytic philosophy. This module explores contemporary debates in these areas, and sets them in the context of their historical origins in 20th-century debates. It also explores the interconnections between these areas, identifying broader philosophical outlooks and themes which span the various specific debates. You will develop your own critical responses to the material through seminar discussions, essays and one-to-one supervisions.
The module aims to provide you with a high level of understanding of contemporary work in philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, and metaphysics, and of the relationship between these areas. The module places contemporary philosophical work in these areas in its 20th-century historical context, enabling you to understand what the currently most pressing issues in these areas are and to pursue work on these topics in dissertations, independent studies, or further studies.
The module will cover a broad range of topics across contemporary work in metaphysics, philosophy of mind, and philosophy of language, and draw out their interconnections. It will introduce you to a wide range of alternative theoretical approaches to these areas and to their characteristic methodologies. While focused on analytic approaches, the module will include materials which draw on adjacent fields including logic, linguistics, mathematics, natural science, anthropology, sociology and history, and on related areas of philosophy including epistemology and philosophy of science.
The module also puts a diverse range of contemporary authors into conversation with the authors of classic texts from the recent history of philosophy of mind, philosophy of language and metaphysics.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Examine and arbitrate key debates in contemporary philosophy of mind, philosophy of language and metaphysics.
2. Articulate the connections between philosophy of mind, philosophy of language and metaphysics.
3. Critically engage with, and evaluate, complex and varied material in contemporary and 20th-century philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, and metaphysics.
4. Develop a critical, independent and nuanced argument drawing on a range of relevant sources.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Communicate ideas and understanding clearly and concisely, using appropriate academic language (Academic and Work Ready skill)
6. Independently search for and utilise appropriate material to support knowledge and analysis of topics (Academic, Work Ready, Digital skill)
Example topics for the module would be:
Existence
The Mind-Body Problem
Realism
Externalism
Holes
Possible Worlds
Essentialism
Conceptual Engineering
Metasemantics
Metametaphysics
Truth
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 2 | 0.5 | 1 |
| Seminar | 11 | 2 | 22 |
| Private study hours | 277 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 23 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 300 | ||
Formative feedback will be given:
In weekly seminars, where the module leader will respond to student questions and support understanding based on the module content and readings.
In a first one-to-one supervision (30 mins) preparatory to the first essay, where the module leader will comment and provide guidance and feedback on one of: an essay plan, an exposition of an argument, or a formulation of an objection and reply.
In a second one-to-one supervision (30 mins) preparatory to the second essay, where the module leader will comment and provide guidance and feedback on one of: an essay plan, an exposition of an argument, or a formulation of an objection and reply.
Giving the students a choice about formative feedback ensures that students get the formative feedback that they need. They are asked to read and reflect on (i) the feedback they received in previous summative assessments, (ii) the PRHS marking criteria, and (iii) the specific guidance provided on the summative assessment in this module. This requires students to critically engage with previous feedback, current expectations, and play an active role in honing their knowledge and skill development
The first essay will also serve a formative function.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 50 |
| Coursework | Essay | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 13/02/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team