Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon

    Overview

    Investigations into the nature and structure of existence. What sorts of things are there? What are possible worlds? How is change possible?

    Metaphysics asks basic questions about existence, time, possibility, infinity and more. We then test answers to these questions as analytically as we can. In this paper we focus on questions such as: What is the most general structure of the world? What is our place in the world? Are there many worlds? And why is there a world at all?

    About this paper

    Paper title Metaphysical Questions
    Subject Philosophy
    EFTS 0.15
    Points 18 points
    Teaching period Semester 1 (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $981.75
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Prerequisite
    One PHIL paper or 72 points
    Restriction
    PHIL 216, PHIL 313, PHIL 316 and PHIL 323
    Schedule C
    Arts and Music
    Eligibility

    This paper is recommended for students who have taken PHIL101 Mind and Reality.

    Contact

    philosophy@otago.ac.nz

    Teaching staff

    Associate Professor Heather Dyke and Associate Professor Zach Weber

    Textbooks

    Required:
    Ney, Alyssa. (2023, 2nd edition). Metaphysics: An Introduction. Routledge: London.

    Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Research, Self-motivation.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes

    Students who successfully complete the paper will acquire:

    1. The ability to present and assess philosophical arguments (both written and verbal) to an acceptable standard, especially in the area of metaphysics
    2. A broad awareness and grasp of what is at issue in debates in metaphysics
    3. A demonstrated ability to explain and assess philosophical positions and arguments and to think critically and independently about them
    4. The ability to develop and analyse philosophical reasoning collaboratively in group discussion

    Timetable

    Semester 1

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Monday 13:00-13:50 9-13, 15-22
    Wednesday 10:00-10:50 9-13, 15-22
    Thursday 14:00-14:50 9-13, 15-16, 18-22
    Back to top