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PHI 301: Metaphysics PHI 301: Metaphysics Ibadan Distance Learning Centre Series PHI 301 METAPHYSICS By Isaac E. Ukpokolo, Ph.D Senior Lecturer Department of Philosophy University of Ibadan, Nigeria 1 PHI 301: Metaphysics Table of Contents Study Session 1: The Metaphysics of the Pre-Socratics ................................................................. 8 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 8 Learning Outcomes for Study Session 1 ..................................................................................... 8 1.1 The Milesian Philosophers .................................................................................................... 9 1.2 Reality as change and conflict ............................................................................................ 16 1.3 The Atomists ....................................................................................................................... 17 Summary of Study Session 1 .................................................................................................... 19 Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 1 ......................................................... 19 SAQ 1.1................................................................................................................................. 19 SAQ 1.2................................................................................................................................. 19 SAQ 1.3................................................................................................................................. 19 Notes on Study Session 1 .......................................................................................................... 19 References ................................................................................................................................. 20 Study Session 2: Plato’s Metaphysics .......................................................................................... 21 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 21 Learning Outcomes for Study Session 2 ................................................................................... 21 2.1 Plato’s Metaphysics ............................................................................................................ 22 2.1.1 The Reality of Plato’s World of Forms........................................................................ 23 2.1.2 The Problem of Change ............................................................................................... 24 2.2 Plato’s Dualism ................................................................................................................... 26 Summary of Study Session 2 .................................................................................................... 28 Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 2 ......................................................... 28 SAQ 2.1................................................................................................................................. 28 SAQ 2.2................................................................................................................................. 28 Notes on Study Session 2 .......................................................................................................... 28 References ................................................................................................................................. 29 Study Session 3: Aristotle’s Metaphysics ..................................................................................... 30 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 30 Learning Outcomes for Study Session 3 ................................................................................... 30 2 PHI 301: Metaphysics 3.1 Aristotle’s Metaphysics ...................................................................................................... 31 3.1.1 Matter and Form .......................................................................................................... 32 3.1.2 The Doctrine of Essence and the Theory of Universals .............................................. 34 3.2 Substance and Accident ...................................................................................................... 34 Summary of Study Session 3 .................................................................................................... 36 Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 3 ......................................................... 37 SAQ 3.1................................................................................................................................. 37 SAQ 3.2................................................................................................................................. 37 Notes on Study Session 3 .......................................................................................................... 37 References ................................................................................................................................. 37 Study Session 4: The Metaphysics of Thomas Aquinas ............................................................... 39 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 39 Learning Outcomes for Study Session 4 ................................................................................... 39 4.1 The Metaphysics of Thomas Aquinas................................................................................. 40 4.1.1 The Language of God: the Predication by Analogy .................................................... 41 4.1.2 Aquinas against Equivocal Predication ....................................................................... 43 4.1.3 Aquinas against Univocal Predication ......................................................................... 44 4.1.4 Aquinas on Predication by Analogy ............................................................................ 45 4.2 Essence and Existence ........................................................................................................ 45 4.2.1 The Metaphysical Conception of Being ...................................................................... 46 4.3 Matter and Form ................................................................................................................. 47 4.4 Substance and Accident ...................................................................................................... 52 Summary of Study Session 4 .................................................................................................... 53 Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 4 ......................................................... 54 SAQ 4.1................................................................................................................................. 54 SAQ 4.2................................................................................................................................. 54 SAQ 4.3................................................................................................................................. 54 SAQ 4.4................................................................................................................................. 54 Notes on Study Session 4 .......................................................................................................... 54 References ................................................................................................................................. 55 Study Session 5: The Metaphysics of Rene Descartes ................................................................. 56 3 PHI 301: Metaphysics Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 56 Learning Outcomes for Study Session 5 ................................................................................... 56 5.1 The Metaphysics of Rene Descartes ................................................................................... 57 5.2 Dualistic Conception of the Human Person ........................................................................ 61 Summary of Study Session 5 .................................................................................................... 62 Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 5 ......................................................... 62 SAQ 5.1................................................................................................................................. 62 SAQ 5.2................................................................................................................................. 62 Notes on Study Session 5 .......................................................................................................... 62 Reference .................................................................................................................................. 63 Study Session 6: Metaphysics of Baruch de Spinoza ................................................................... 64 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................
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