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PH355M: THE OPEN FUTURE (2021-2022)

Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:05


Course Overview

A commonly held idea is that the past is settled and closed, whereas the future is unsettled and open. There is no use in crying over spilled milk, what's done is done. In contrast, the future is open with possibilities; it's ours to shape. What is behind this difference we attribute to past and future? Is the future genuinely open in a way in which the past is not? If so, then how exactly should this openness be characterized? The course will also take a close look at our thought and talk about the future. Do utterances about the future, such as “It will rain tomorrow”, presently have a determinate truth-value?  Is knowledge about the future possible? Does truth and knowledge of the future threaten the idea that the future is unsettled or open? Topics that will be studied include: ontological debates within the philosophy of time, metaphysical indeterminacy, the semantics of future contingents, fatalist arguments against free action, the problem of freedom and foreknowledge, as well as causal determinism and indeterminism.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Session Second Sub Session Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Stephan Vincent Torre

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • One of Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4 or Programme Level 5
  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

A commonly held idea is that the past is settled and closed, whereas the future is unsettled and open. There is no use in crying over spilled milk, what's done is done. In contrast, the future is open with possibilities; it's ours to shape. What is behind this difference we attribute to past and future? Is the future genuinely open in a way in which the past is not? If so, then how exactly should this openness be characterized? The course will also take a close look at our thought and talk about the future. Do utterances about the future, such as “It will rain tomorrow”, presently have a determinate truth-value?  Is knowledge about the future possible? Does truth and knowledge of the future threaten the idea that the future is unsettled or open? Topics that will be studied include: ontological debates within the philosophy of time, metaphysical indeterminacy, the semantics of future contingents, fatalist arguments against free action, the problem of freedom and foreknowledge, as well as causal determinism and indeterminism.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 50
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Feedback will be provided via MyAberdeen’s SafeAssign system. 

Word Count 2500
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstand Acquire and demonstrate knowledge of the subject areas
ConceptualUnderstandAcquire an understanding of the philosophical literature relevant to the topics
ProceduralCreateLearn to frame arguments and to communicate arguments to a group of peers.
ProceduralEvaluateDevelop critical thinking skills.
ReflectionCreateDevelop proficiency in written and oral communication skills.

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 50
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Feedback will be provided via MyAberdeen’s SafeAssign system. 

Word Count 2500
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstand Acquire and demonstrate knowledge of the subject areas
ConceptualUnderstandAcquire an understanding of the philosophical literature relevant to the topics
ProceduralCreateLearn to frame arguments and to communicate arguments to a group of peers.
ProceduralEvaluateDevelop critical thinking skills.
ReflectionCreateDevelop proficiency in written and oral communication skills.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Feedback will be provided via MyAberdeen’s SafeAssign system. 

Word Count 2500
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstand Acquire and demonstrate knowledge of the subject areas
ConceptualUnderstandAcquire an understanding of the philosophical literature relevant to the topics
ProceduralEvaluateDevelop critical thinking skills.
ReflectionCreateDevelop proficiency in written and oral communication skills.
ProceduralCreateLearn to frame arguments and to communicate arguments to a group of peers.

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