Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2017 - PHIL 455W E100

Contemporary Issues in Epistemology and Metaphysics (4)

The Metaphysics of Properties

Class Number: 6835

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 5 – Dec 4, 2017: Wed, 4:30–8:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Two 300 division PHIL courses.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

May be repeated for credit. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:


Selected Topics: The Metaphysics of Properties

[Note: this course is to be taught concurrently with PHIL 803.]

It seems undeniable that things in the world have certain features: some apples are red, my cat is soft, Burnaby Mountain has an elevation of 370 meters, and so on. Philosophers call such features properties. This course focuses on the metaphysics of properties using a combination of texts that prompted the contemporary debate and very recent articles, with the aim of familiarizing students with current debates.

We will begin by examining ontic issues concerning properties. Are they universal or particular? Abstract or concrete? Are there any properties at all? A separate question concerns whether properties are abundant or sparse. Defenders of the abundant conception have argued that for any collection of objects, there is a property that they alone share. Others defend a sparse conception of properties, on which properties “carve nature at its joints”.

More recently, some philosophers have argued for a distinction between fundamental and non-fundamental properties. Those who focus on fundamental properties disagree on whether the fundamental properties are dispositional, categorical, or both. We will also look at recent work on purported non-fundamental properties, including the “relatively natural” properties countenanced in the special sciences, and social properties. We will especially be concerned with the metaphysics of race and gender.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

This course may be applied towards the Writing Requirement (and the upper division Writing Requirement for Philosophy majors).

Grading

  • Participation, based on attendance and engagement in class and/or office hours 5%
  • Responses to weekly questions on the readings, to be submitted the day before class meetings 20%
  • Workshop presentation, on final paper topic, for a workshop to be scheduled near the end of the term 25%
  • Final paper, including draft to be submitted before the workshop (25%), and revision to be submitted after (25%) 50%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Readings will be available online.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS