Philosophy
Core modules and Options at Level 10
PHI9LB - Metaphysics
This course provides an introduction to metaphysics, the branch of philosophy that deals with the ultimate structure of reality. We will discuss a variety of traditional and recent topics, focusing on four general areas:
- Properties (universals; sets of particulars; sets of tropes).
Redness is a property, and so is humanity. But what are properties? And where are they, if they are located somewhere? Is humanity, for instance, something that all human beings share? Or could we understand what properties are in a way that does not commit us to say that all human beings share something?
- Modality (necessity, possibility, essence, and possible worlds).
Could Socrates have been a pig? Or is humanity essential to him? What do we mean when we say that Obama could have lost the elections? And is there something “in the world” in virtue of which that is true? Should we say that there is a possible world where Obama loses the elections?
- Modal and temporal puzzles (persistence through time, and across possible worlds).
Martha bought a table made of 400 small pieces. The first day, one of these pieces breaks, and she gets the table repaired by having that piece replaced. The second day, another original piece breaks, and she gets the table repaired by having it replaced. For the next 398 days, the story repeats, always with a different original piece. After 400 days, Martha has a table. Is it the very same table she bought? “It” has been repaired 400 times, but no original piece is left.
- Causation and Laws of Nature.
What is it for one thing to cause another? Does the effect necessarily follow its cause? Or could there be non-deterministic laws? Could also be that the effect occurs before the cause? All bodies fall to the ground. This is true. All ice-creams my neighbour eats are mint-ice-creams. This is also true. Which has a better claim to being a law? Why?
Outcomes
This course aims:
- to introduce students to central metaphysical questions;
- to enable students to develop their own critical stance on these issues;
- to develop further students’ analytical, critical and reflective thought; and
- to develop students’ critical skills in reading, argumentation and communication through seminar discussions and essay writing processes. (Refer to Section B of the Student Handbook for more details.)
Reading
There is no set text for the module but there will be a coursepack of key readings the students must purchase. The students will also be expected to consult a number of other texts that are not printed in the coursepack.
Availability: |
BA Honours students (semesters 6 and 8), 3 Year BA in Philosophy or the General degree |
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Prerequisite: |
Any level 9 philosophy module |
Assessment: |
Coursework (one required essay) 50% ; examination (3 hours, 3 questions) 50%. Students may choose to submit a second essay to improve their grade. |
Teaching Pattern: |
Two one-hour lectures and one one-hour seminar each week |
Regulations: |
For the purposes of the University's attendance regulation 14, seminars are prescribed classes. The rationale for prescribing these classes may be found in the Philosophy Student Handbook, section F. This section also contains regulations relating to the submission of coursework, and other matters. |
Please contact Sonia Roca-Royes if you would like to know more about this module.