Philosophy 203: Metaphysics
David Harker
1424 University Hall
Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays,
Course description: Metaphysics is the philosopher’s inquiry into what there is. It is a subject that challenges and examines our most basic beliefs about the world, probing not only for answers to ontological questions (what there is in the world), but also demanding the utmost rigour in analyzing the nature of the concepts involved. For example, we believe that change is happening all around us and that these changes are caused. We believe that we are capable of inducing change through our behaviour and the freedom of our choices, that we ourselves both undergo many changes during our lifetime, but also retain a sense of ‘self’ or personal identity.
Yet despite our apparent familiarity with concepts such as change, causation, freedom of choice and personal identity, we will find that these notions can prove extremely evasive when we try to articulate them more carefully. Those who are willing to engage with the material are rewarded with an often baffling, seldom boring, frequently frustrating, but always stimulating, intellectual struggle. Are you ready for the challenge?