161-237 Analytic Philosophy

At least one first-year philosophy subject, or permission from the Head of Department or the subject coordinator.

This subject is a study of the philosophical tradition known as Analytic Philosophy. It will focus on central works by leading figures in this tradition, who include Bertrand Russell, G E Moore, Rudolf Carnap, W V Quine, J L Austin, and S A Kripke. Some variation in contents from year to year is envisaged, but most of the listed philosophers will be included each time the subject is offered. Their work is united by an emphasis on semantic analysis, and the subject will focus on the ways in which they have used semantic concepts to illuminate epistemological and metaphysical issues.