Introduction to Metaphysics

Instructor Heather Demarest Course # 730:215:B6

Email [email protected] Location College Ave: Hardenbergh Hall B3 Office & Seminary 1: Room 105 Time Tuesday/Thursday: 6:00pm-9:40pm Hours Tuesday/Thursday: 4pm-5pm

Text: Riddles of Existence by Earl Conee and Theodore Sider, Oxford University Press, 2005.

Description: In this course we will consider some of the big questions in metaphysics: What is space? What is time? What is spacetime? Is time travel possible? How do objects persist through time? How do we know who we are? What does it mean to be conscious? Are computers or animals conscious? Do we have free will?

Requirements: Students are expected to read two articles for each class (one from the textbook and one from Sakai). Since many students struggle with formulating arguments, we will practice outlining arguments and students will be expected to develop one of their outlines into a short paper. There will be a comprehensive final exam.

Resources: I will post some of the readings to Sakai, so make sure you know how to use it.

Evaluation: • Quiz on assigned reading (10 quizzes, each worth 2 points) 20 • Outlines of arguments (5 outlines, each worth 6 points) 30 • Short paper 20 • Final exam 30

Grades: 0-60 = F; 60-69 = D; 70-75 = C; 76-79 = C+; 80-85 = B; 86-89 = B+; 90-100 = A

Page 1 Course Schedule:

Class Topic Required Reading

1: Introduction to Metaphysics None

2: Universals RE 8: Universals

3: Space & Time (Newton, Leibniz & Galileo) Bucket/Rotating Spheres

4: Space & Time (Relativity & Quantum) RE

5: Time Travel End of Eternity/Futurama

6: Laws of Nature Humean vs Governing

7: Persistence (Perdurance & Endurance) RE 3: Time; Haslanger?

8: Personal Identity Dennett: Where Am I?

9: Consciousness

10: Free Will & Determinism

11: Compatibilism

12: Final Exam

Examinations:

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