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 ) $1,103.10
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

Professor Zach Weber and Professor Heather Dyke

Paper Structure

Two lectures per week

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
Aoroa

Lecture

Stream Days Times Weeks
Attend
A1 Monday 12:00-13:50 9-14, 16-17, 19-22
AND
B1 Thursday 14:00-14:50 9-13, 16-22

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 Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
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 PHIL 101 Mind and Reality.

Contact

philosophy@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Professor Zach Weber and Professor Heather Dyke

Paper Structure

Two lectures per week

Textbooks

Required:

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

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Monday 12:00-12:50 9-12, 15-22
    Tuesday 11:00-11:50 9-12, 15-22
    Wednesday 11:00-11:50 9-12, 15-22
    Back to top