Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - PHIL 203 B100

Metaphysics (3)

Class Number: 6935

Delivery Method: Blended

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 4, 2025
    Thu, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    One of PHIL 100, 100W, 120, 120W, 121, 144, 150, 151, 300, 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:

Broadly construed, metaphysics concerns the most general questions one can ask about the world and our place in it: What sorts of entities are there? What are they like? How are we related to them? Using resources from diverse perspectives, we will consider a range of metaphysical topics, including the material world, personhood and identity, and social reality. Students will work on reading, assessing, and constructing arguments in the context of contemporary debates on these topics.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

PHIL 203 is a required course for the for the Philosophy Major and the Philosophy and Methodology of Science Certificate. 

Grading

  • Perusall annotations 10%
  • In-class response essays 30%
  • Paper (including feedback and revisions) 30%
  • Final exam 30%

NOTES:

Students are expected to contribute Perusall annotations each week.

NOTE: This course is offered as blended, with 2 hours of lecture per week, and 1 hour of asynchronous online work.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Students will be required to access Perusall.

REQUIRED READING:

Alyssa Ney, Metaphysics: An Introduction (Second Edition)

ISBN: 9780815350491

Online version available (requested through bookstore)


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Thinking of a Philosophy Major or Minor? The Concentration in Law and Philosophy? The Certificate in Ethics? The Philosophy and Methodology of Science Certificate?
Contact the PHIL Advisor at philcomm@sfu.ca   More details on our website: SFU Philosophy

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.