PHL3630

Space, time and causation

John Bigelow

8 points
* 2 hours per week
* Second semester
* Clayton
* Prerequistes: first-year philosophy and two 8-point, second-year philosophy subjects including one of PHL2110/PHL2130/PHL2170

Objectives On successfully completing this course students should have acquired knowledge of some very central examples of metaphysical theories in the history of thought, including some formative ideas from the ancient Greeks, and the controversy between Newton and Leibniz during the rise of modern science. They should also have acquired not only a knowledge of the conclusions which past thinkers have reached, but also an understanding of the reasons which they had for drawing those conclusions. Students should also acquire a knowledge of some current research at the cutting edge of the discipline, and an ability to articulate their own reasons either for drawing whatever conclusions they do draw for themselves, or else for suspending judgment.

Synopsis The first half of the subject will deal with some of the main philosophical problems regarding space and time. Topics to be discussed will include the relative versus the absolute views of space and time and the `static' versus the `dynamic' views of time. The second half of the course will discuss competing analyses of causation, ranging from sceptical theories which reduce causation to mere correlation, to metaphysical theories which analyse it in terms of counterfactual conditionals and possible worlds.

Assessment Two essays (3000 words each): 50% each
* One essay may optionally be replaced by a 3-hour examination

Prescribed texts

Alexander H G (ed.) The Leibniz-Clarke correspondence Manchester U P