Rationality seems to require certain things of us. But what exactly does rationality require? Is there nothing more to rationality than means-ends reasoning, for example? And what reason, if any, do we have to comply with the requirements of rationality? Students will be exposed to a range of contemporary debates surrounding the nature of rationality and its normative authority over us.

The seminar will be conducted mostly as a series of one-on-one tutorials. After the first group meeting (which students are required to attend), where the topics and structure of the seminar will be explained, students will write short essays on topics of their choosing. The essays will be discussed in the tutorials, and will form the basis for the final mark.