Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - PHIL 302 D200

Topics in Epistemology and Metaphysics (3)

Possibility

Class Number: 6972

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    PHIL 201 or 203.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An exploration of philosophical issues concerning, e.g.: causation, time, modality, or the self; the realism/nominalism or realism/idealism debate; relativism; the concept of truth; naturalized epistemology; global epistemological skepticism or perhaps a 'local' form of skepticism such as skepticism about induction or about sensory belief. May be repeated for credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected Topics: Possibility

The world could have been different. You could have delayed your studies this year; Lassie could have been played by a labradoodle; there could have been just one more star in the universe. Claims about what is or is not possible are ubiquitous in philosophy. But what do these claims really mean?

Many philosophers have accepted a so-called “possible worlds analysis” of possibility, according to which something is possible just in case it’s actual in some possible world. This analysis is theoretically useful, especially in logic. But do these "possible worlds" really exist? If so, what are they?

This course explores both recent classics and new works in the metaphysics literature on possibility and other modal notions, including one of the most influential works in this area, David Lewis’s On the Plurality of Worlds. We will begin with early 20th century skepticism about the notion of metaphysical modality.

Grading

  • Two short writing assignments 10%
  • Shorter paper 35%
  • Longer paper proposal 5%
  • Longer paper 50%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

David Lewis. On the Plurality of Worlds. 2001. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN-13: 978-0631224266.

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.