Universität Wien
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180058 SE Topics in Metaphysics (2024W)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 18 - Philosophie
Continuous assessment of course work

Hinweis der SPL Philosophie:

Das Abgeben von ganz oder teilweise von einem KI-tool (z.B. ChatGPT) verfassten Texten als Leistungsnachweis (z.B. Seminararbeit) ist nur dann erlaubt, wenn dies von der Lehrveranstaltungsleitung ausdrücklich als mögliche Arbeitsweise genehmigt wurde. Auch hierbei müssen direkt oder indirekt zitierte Textstellen wie immer klar mit Quellenangabe ausgewiesen werden.

Die Lehrveranstaltungsleitung kann zur Überprüfung der Autorenschaft einer abgegebenen schriftlichen Arbeit ein notenrelevantes Gespräch (Plausibilitätsprüfung) vorsehen, das erfolgreich zu absolvieren ist.
Moodle
We 16.10. 09:45-11:15 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock

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Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
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Details

max. 25 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Wednesday 23.10. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Wednesday 30.10. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Wednesday 06.11. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Wednesday 13.11. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Wednesday 20.11. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Wednesday 27.11. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Wednesday 04.12. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Wednesday 11.12. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Wednesday 08.01. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Wednesday 15.01. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Wednesday 22.01. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Wednesday 29.01. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

CONTENT: Metaphysics is the study of the structure of reality. It studies what kinds of entities exist and what their natures and relations are. Among its many questions, inquiries concerning the nature of consciousness, the existence of God, and the nature of personal identity stand out as especially important for us as human beings. Moreover, discussing these questions requires reflection upon many other aspects of metaphysics. Thus, they are a perfect gateway into metaphysics as a whole.

AIMS: This seminar will introduce students to contemporary metaphysics in the analytic tradition. In the first and second sessions, students will get acquainted with metaphysics and its goals and questions. The rest of the seminar will focus on three topics:
(1) The nature of consciousness.
(2) The existence of God.
(3) The nature of personal identity.

Students will gain an understanding of the main views and arguments in the above topics. Moreover, by investigating them, they will get familiar with many key concepts in metaphysics: properties, facts, substances, essence, grounding, modality, and others.

METHOD: Every session after the first will have an assigned reading and will begin with a 20-minute student presentation of that reading. The rest of the session will consist of interactive teaching. The students will discuss the session’s topic under my guidance. I will clarify and explain the topic and provide context when needed. All class activities will be in English.

Assessment and permitted materials

PARTICIPATION: students are expected to participate in the class discussions.

PRESENTATION: Every student should give a 20-minute presentation on a course reading. Depending on the number of participants, the presentations can be given individually or in groups.

REACTION ESSAYS (2 × 500 words): Students should submit two reaction essays, each on a different view or argument from the course’s readings. Students should first briefly introduce the view or argument they are discussing and then defend or criticize it.

FINAL ESSAY (max. 2500 words): Every student should write an argumentative essay on a topic relevant to the course. This essay should demonstrate an understanding of the topic under discussion and have a conclusion backed by clear argumentation. The final essay should be submitted by the end of the semester (Feb. 28, 2025).

The reaction essays and the final essay must be written in English.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

POINTS: Each of the student activities will result in points, as follows:

Class participation: max. 10 points
Presentation max. 20 points
Reaction essays: max. 20 points (each reaction essay is worth max. 10 points)
Final essay: max. 50 points

GRADES: The points correspond to grades as follows:

1 = 87–100 points
2 = 75–86 points
3 = 63–74 points
4 = 50–62 points
5 = 0–50 points

Every student is allowed a maximum of 2 unexcused absences. All students must submit the reaction essays and the final essay on time.

Examination topics

Presentations + reaction essays + final essay

Reading list

WEEK 1 (OCT. 16): INTRODUCTION
No reading.

WEEK 2 (OCT. 23): WHAT IS METAPHYSICS?
van Inwagen (2024) – Metaphysics, Introduction.

WEEK 3 (OCT. 30): DUALISM
Descartes (1641) – Mediations on First Philosophy, sections II and VI.

WEEK 4 (NOV. 6): PHYSICALISM
Montero & Papineau (2016) – “Naturalism and Physicalism”

WEEK 5 (NOV. 13): THE HARD PROBLEM OF CONSCIOUSNESS
Chalmers (2003) – “Consciousness and its Place in Nature,” until section 5.6.

WEEK 6 (NOV. 20): PANPSYCHISM
Goff (2017) – “Panpsychism.”

WEEK 7 (NOV. 27): GOD
Morris (1991) – Our Idea of God, Chapter 2: The Concept of God.
Note: The first reaction essay is due.

WEEK 8 (DEC. 4): COSMOLOGICAL ARGUMENTS
Aquinas – “The Five Ways.”
Almeida (2018) – Cosmological Arguments, Section 1.

WEEK 9 (DEC. 11): ARGUMENTS FROM DESIGN
Swinburne (2010) – Is There a God?, Chapter 4.

WEEK 10 (JAN. 8): THE PROBLEM OF EVIL
Anthony (2018) – “No Good Reason: Exploring the Problem of Evil.”

WEEK 11 (JAN. 15): WHAT AM I?
Locke – Essay Concerning Human Understanding, “Of Identity and Diversity.”

WEEK 12 (JAN. 22): TELETRANSPORTATION
Parfit – Reasons and Persons, Chapter 10.

WEEK 13 (JAN. 29): DIVIDED MINDS
Parfit – Reasons and Persons, Chapter 12, sections 87, 89, and 90.
Note: The second reaction essay is due.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Tu 03.09.2024 15:06