Course Catalogue

Formal Methods in Philosophy PHIL4076

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Humanities
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

After introducing you to the basics of formal methods, like modal logic, probability theory, decision theory or causal modelling, we will examine how formal methods might be used to make progress on philosophical questions by considering a number of important case studies in philosophy of language, metaphysics, epistemology and philosophical logic.

Timetable

16 x 1hr lectures and 4x1hr seminars

Requirements of Entry

None

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

The standard assessments for this course are: 

■ two take-home problem sets worth each worth 25% of the final grade.

■ a 2,000 word essay worth 50% of the final grade.

 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available: 

■ There are no alternatives to the assessments, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

 

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.  

Course Aims

This course aims to develop students' skills in applying formal tools to traditional philosophical questions. Students will learn new formal tools, as well as reinforcing old ones; they will then be introduced to various philosophical debates where these tools have been deployed. This course aims to enhance the transferrable critical thinking skills developed in learning formal methods by using philosophy itself as a test case.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Solve problems in two advanced formal frameworks, such as modal logic, probability theory, decision theory or causal modelling.

2. Explain and compare formal theories of philosophically important concepts, such as knowledge, meaning or existence.

3. Critically assess the arguments for and against those formal theories

4. Critically evaluate whether the use of formal theories in philosophy offers an alternative to traditional philosophical methodology.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions