Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2017 - PHIL 203 D100

Metaphysics (3)

Class Number: 3395

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 5 – Dec 4, 2017: Mon, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 5 – Dec 4, 2017: Wed, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    One of PHIL 100W (or equivalent), 120W (or equivalent), 121, 144, 150, 151, or COGS 100.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An examination of central problems of metaphysics such as space and time, universals and particulars, substance, identity and individuation and personal identity.

COURSE DETAILS:

On one conception, metaphysics is concerned with giving an adequate, illuminating, and unified account of the most general (would-be)  ‘ontological categories’ with which we characterize things.  Such ontological categories invoked in at least our pre-theoretic ways of characterizing things include: object, property, relation, concept, event, process, fact, person, and the nature of existence and reality tout court.   Certain kinds of (would-be) properties and relations have also had central metaphysical importance, including modal properties and relations; the distinction between concrete and abstract entities; spatio-temporal, causal, and compositional relations; and relations between linguistic items and extra-linguistic reality.  This course is an introductory survey and critical assessment of contemporary views about metaphysics so conceived.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

 To introduce students to core issues in contemporary analytic metaphysics, and to help them begin to develop an informed and reasoned critical perspective on these issues.

Grading

  • 4 short (about 1800 words) papers, each worth 25% of the final grade.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Metaphysics, an Introduction,  by Alyssa Ney (Routledge, New York, 2014) ISBN: 978-0-415-640756 (pbk);  plus related materials mostly drawn from the companion website provided by the publisher at : www.routledge.com/cw/ney 

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