Course overview
Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that investigates very general questions about the nature of reality, questions that are prior to other scientific investigations. Where physics might tell us how objects move through space and time, metaphysics investigates questions like 'What is the nature of time itself?', 'How do objects continue to exist over time and through change?', 'What is an object?' or even 'What is existence?'. Metaphysics also concerns itself with questions about the relations between different branches of knowledge. For example: 'Is the world entirely physical?', or 'Can human agency be reconciled with the existence of causal laws?' In this course, we will approach some of these issues as they are treated in contemporary analytic philosophy. We focus particularly on the nature of time (including time travel and the significance of relativity theory); the nature of identity (including personal identity, the paradox of change, and the nature of parts and wholes); and the problem of free will.
- Time
- Identity
- Freedom
Course learning outcomes
- Demonstrate understanding of some central philosophical debates in contemporary metaphysics.
- Analyse contemporary and historical argumentative texts and extract the relevant views and arguments from them.
- Accurately present philosophical arguments in written form and oral contexts (individual and/or group).
- Evaluate philosophical and scientific arguments about time, identity and freedom, providing appropriate grounds for those evaluations.
- Identify and use relevant evidence to support or criticise metaphysical hypotheses.
- Present a sustained argumentative case in written form, addressing potential counterarguments and objections.
Availability
Class details
Online
Class number 20046
Section 01OL
Size 30
Available 28
Adelaide City Campus East
Class number 24260
Section WS01
Size 45
Available 39
Class details
Online
Class number 50035
Section 01OL
Size 30
Available 30
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