Last modified: 13 Aug 2025 14:46
Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason (1781) is one of the most important works of Western philosophy. Kant focuses on what we can and cannot know, transforming concepts of freedom, God, self, and nature along the way. In resolving the impasse between rationalism and empiricism, Kant set out a new approach to epistemology and metaphysics called transcendental idealism. This fundamental turning-point in philosophy also generated some enduring problems. This course focuses on reading and understanding the Critique alongside selected critical works. Working closely with the text, we will understand Kant's arguments, their significance, and the problems that they generated.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 4 |
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| Term | First Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
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Course Aims: - To introduce students to the central topics in Kant's Critique of Pure Reason - To develop skills of close textual reading and analysis - To be able to locate and utilise relevant secondary material - To develop skills of reasoning and debate - To give students detailed insight into the central issues in Kant's Critique of Pure Reason - To develop presentation skills Main Learning Outcomes: - To acquire knowledge of Kant's philosophy through reading his major work, the Critique of Pure Reason - To critically engage with central texts, debates, and issues in Kant's philosophy - To be able to articulate ideas clearly and systematically in writing and discussion - To be able to read and critically discuss primary material carefully and identify key arguments - To be able to lead seminar discussion in an informed and structured way Content: Kant's Critique of Pure Reason (1781) is one of the most important works of Western philosophy. In attempting to resolve the bitter philosophical disputes of his own age, Kant paved the way for the next two hundred years of philosophical activity by setting out his own groundbreaking approach to metaphysics and epistemology: transcendental idealism. With this, Kant resolved the problems of rationalism and empiricism and introduced a new philosophical vocabulary, but he also left behind a host of problems which philosophers have puzzled over ever since. This course explores these key aspects of Kant's thought using a text-based approach. We will work through selections from the Critique to develop an understanding of Kant's arguments and the problems that emerge from them. - To be able to read and critically discuss primary material carefully and identify key arguments - To be able to lead seminar discussion in an informed and structured way
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 20 | |
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| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
1,000-word Critical Exercise worth 20% of the overall grade. |
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 60 | |
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| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
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A 3,500-word essay worth 60% of the overall grade. Written feedback will be provided on essay. Further feedback is available through discussion in office hours. |
Word Count | 3500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 20 | |
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| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
1,000-word Critical Exercise worth 20% of the overall grade. |
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There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
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| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Resit online take-home exam. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Factual | Remember | ILO’s for this course are available in the course guide. |
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