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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 200-level PHIL paper
Restriction
PHIL 216, PHIL 223, PHIL 313, PHIL 316
Schedule C
Arts and Music
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 develop:

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

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 200-level PHIL paper
Restriction
PHIL 216, PHIL 223, PHIL 313, PHIL 316
Schedule C
Arts and Music
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 develop:

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