Phil 3333 • Fall 2007
Metaphysics
Course Description
Metaphysics is the study of existence or reality at its most general. What does it mean to say that something exists? Does reality have a beginning and end? What are space and time? Does reality have a creator? Is there a single unified order or is reality partitioned into multiple realms that never interact? What is interaction -- what are cause and effect?
One objective of this course is to introduce you to some awesome issues about existence. Another objective is to equip you with some of the vocabulary and techniques of contemporary anglophone philosophy.
Policies & Grading
Readings
Michael Loux, ed., Metaphysics: Contemporary Readings (Routledge, 2001).
Manuscripts by instructor, to be made available in class.
Recommended: Roy Sorensen, Brief History of the Paradox (available in non-textbook section of bookstore).
Schedule
Date |
Topic | Readings | Notes |
Week of Aug 21 | "On What There Is" | ch 1, ch 3 | |
Week of Aug 28 | "The Identity of Indiscernibles" | Pt II Intro; ch 6 | Paper 1 due Tues |
Week of Sept 4 | "Possible Worlds" | ch 10, ch 11 | |
Week of Sept 11 | "Counterparts or Double Lives?" | ch 12 | Paper 2 due Tues |
Week of Sept 18 | "Personal Identity" | ch 22 | |
Week of Sept 25 | "The Dualist Theory" | ch 24 | Paper 3 due Thurs |
Week of Oct 2 | "The Furniture of the Universe" | Saka | |
Week of Oct 9 | Grad Student Presentations | ch 14 | |
Week of Oct 16 | Grad Student Presentations | ch 7 | |
Week of Oct 23 | "God" | ch 25 | Paper 4 due Tues |
Week of Oct 30 | "Realism" | ch 26 | |
Week of Nov 6 | "Ontological Relativity" | ch 27 | Paper 5 due Thurs |
Week of Nov 13 | "A Problem about Reference" | ch 28 | |
Week of Nov 20 | "Objectivity" | ch 18, ch 19 | No class Thurs |
Week of Nov 27 | "Why?" | Saka | Paper 6 due Thurs |
Dec 13, 11-2:00 | Final Exam |
Syllabus subject to change.
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