Course Catalogue

Formal Methods in Philosophy PHIL5126

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Humanities
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • 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

Substantial problem set 50%

2,500 word essay 50%

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 using at least two advanced formal frameworks, such as modal logic, probability theory, decision theory, or causal modelling.

2. Analyse formal theories of philosophically significant concepts - such as knowledge, meaning, or existence - identifying their core commitments and inferential structure.

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

4. Evaluate the philosophical significance of formal theories across a range of subdisciplines, including metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophy of language

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

6. Construct an independent, well-evidenced philosophical argument that draws on formal methods and engages critically with relevant secondary literature.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions