Undergraduate Course: Topics in Metaphysics (PHIL10264)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This seminar based course develops understanding of topics in metaphysics. |
| Course description |
This course is meant to be a detailed examination of one topic in metaphysics. Topics may include universals and particulars, identity, the nature of essence and metaphysical dependence, or ontological commitment.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
Mind, Matter and Language (PHIL08014) AND
Knowledge and Reality (PHIL08017)
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Students studying on MA Cognitive Science (Humanities) are permitted to take this course without having met the pre-requisites of Mind, Matter and Language and Knowledge and Reality. However, it is advisable that students discuss the suitability of the course with their Student Adviser and the Course Organiser before enrolling. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should have completed at least 3 Philosophy courses at grade B or above. We will only consider University/College level courses. Applicants should note that, as with other popular courses, meeting the minimum does NOT guarantee admission. **Please note that honours Philosophy courses are high-demand, meaning that they have a very high number of students wishing to enrol in a very limited number of spaces.** These enrolments are managed strictly by the Visiting Student Office, in line with the quotas allocated by the department, and all enquiries to enrol in these courses must be made through the CAHSS Visiting Student Office. It is not appropriate for students to contact the department directly to request additional spaces. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Display knowledge and understanding of an advanced topic in metaphysics.
- Analyse these problems and the strengths and weakness of various approaches made to resolving them.
- Demonstrate core skills in philosophy, including the ability to interpret and engage with philosophical texts, to evaluate arguments, and to develop one¿s own critical ideas in response.
- Better contribute to discussion of issues related to metaphysics, in both academic and non-academic contexts.
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Reading List
Indicative reading list
- Bernstein, Sara. The Metaphysics of Intersectionality, Philosophical Studies, 177 (2): 321¿35. 2020.
- Dorr, Cian, and John Hawthorne. Naturalness, in Karen Bennett and Dean W. Zimmerman (eds.), Oxford Studies in Metaphysics (Volume 8), Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 3¿77. 2013.
- Kim, Jaegwon. Multiple realization and the metaphysics of reduction, Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 52 (1):1-26. 1992.
- Kingma, Elselijn. Were You a Part of Your Mother?, Mind, 128: 609¿46. 2019.
- Lewis, David. 1983. ¿New Work for a Theory of Universals,¿ Australasian Journal of Philosophy, 61: 343¿77.
- Ritchie, Kate. Social Structures and the Ontology of Social Groups, Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 100 (2): 402-424. 2018.
- van Inwagen, Peter. When are Objects Parts? Philosophical Perspectives 1:21-47. 1987. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
The focus in this course is on regular, sustained, highly abstract reasoning, the development of the ability to express such reasoning to others, and the ability to interpret, clarify and resolve ideas and arguments presented by others. Each week students will independently read, analyse and understand advanced written research in philosophy and discuss it in class. During the semester will also submit two substantial pieces of writing that focus on developing a clear line of argument that reflects a solid grasp of the theoretical ideas found in the material and the ability to articulate a novel stance on them.
Core skills gained or developed on this course:
Adapting presentation or writing tone/style to audience; Being open to different perspectives; Challenging own perspectives and assumptions; Critical thinking; Critical analysis and evaluation; Formulating original arguments and justifying it; Group work (delegation, influencing, conflict resolution, motivating others, taking responsibility); Independence; Oral communication (discussion, debating respectfully, influencing); Preparation, planning and organisation; Presentation skills ; Public speaking; Academic reading skills; Report writing; Research skills; Resilience; Self-reflection; Taking initiative; Time management; Understanding broader perspectives; Workload management; Written communication; Writing clearly and concisely; Abstract reasoning |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Nick Treanor
Tel: (0131 6)51 3085
Email: nick.treanor@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Cameron Findlay
Tel:
Email: cameron.findlay@ed.ac.uk |
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