Philosophy 4360
(001): Metaphysics
(Spring 2004)
TR
HLMS 245
Professor: Carol Cleland
Office: HLMS 282 (Ext 2-7619)
Office
Hours: T 9-10, Th
Required Books:
Mellor & Oliver (eds.), Properties.
Poidevin
& MacBeath (eds.), The Philosophy of Time.
Sosa & Tooley (eds.), Causation.
Requirements:
1. Class Discussions: You are expected
to have read and thought about the material before coming to class. Informed
participation in class discussions is expected of all students. Class
participation is one of a number of factors (e.g., improvement in work over the
course of the semester, class attendance) that I use to determine a grade in
borderline cases.
2.
Evaluation: Your grade
will be based on 3 short papers and
a term paper; there are no exams!
a.
Short Papers: Towards the
end of each of the three main sections of the course, I will assign a short
paper on a preselected topic. It will be due one week later. Each paper should
consist of 2-3 typewritten, double-spaced pages. The 3 short papers are worth
approximately 50% of your final grade, with improvement counting heavily in a
student’s favor.
Note: I do not automatically accept late work. If
you believe that you have a good excuse see me the week before the paper topic
is handed out. If you are sick, bring a note from a physician.
b. Term Paper: There will be a 7-10 page (typed, double-spaced, normal
font) term paper; there is no final exam.
A one-page term paper description is due on March 18. Your term paper is due on
or before May 3. It is worth
approximately 50% of your grade.
Course Description:
Metaphysics
is an ancient discipline whose central concern is the nature and structure of
reality. The problems of metaphysics are much more abstract and general than the
problems of science. Whereas scientists ask questions such as ‘Are birds
descendants of the dinosaurs?’, ‘Is there life on Mars?’, ‘Could nuclear fusion
be achieved at room temperature?, metaphysicians ask questions such as ‘Is time
real?’, ‘Do causes really bring about their effects?’, ‘Are there (in addition
to physical things) purely abstract objects such as redness, goodness, and the
number 2?’. Because they are so fundamental, metaphysical questions lie at the
root of all intellectual inquiry, including science, mathematics, and all other
areas of philosophy (ethics, aesthetics, logic, etc.).
This
course provides an introduction to contemporary analytic metaphysics. We begin
by considering the development of the contemporary analytic tradition in metaphysics,
and the ways in which it differs from older conceptions of metaphysics.
Subsequently we take under consideration three of the most central problem
areas of metaphysics, viz., causation, time, and universals. During the course
of our investigations, we will address questions such as: Can we actually
perceive causation?; Is indeterminism compatible with causation?; Is time the
fourth dimension?; Could time exist in the complete absence of change?; Is
backward causation possible?; What do the expressions “red”, “kangaroo”, and
“2” designate?; Is the property of being a creature with a heart the same as
the property of being a creature with kidneys?; Are there bona fide objects
which are neither mental nor in space and time?