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    Overview

    A detailed examination of issues in foundational philosophy drawn from metaphysics, epistemology, logic, philosophy of mathematics, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, or history of philosophy.

    This paper explores key philosophical problems about time and religion. It engages with the latest research in the philosophy of time (What are the main metaphysical theories of time? What role does physics play? Can we reconcile the scientific view with our ordinary experience?). It also explores recent fictionalist approaches to the philosophy of religion (How much of our engagement with religion involves pretence? Should atheists be fictionalists about religion? What about realists? To what extent is religious belief required for moral discourse?).

    About this paper

    Paper title Advanced Issues in Foundational Philosophy
    Subject Philosophy
    EFTS 0.2500
    Points 30 points
    Teaching period Semester 1 (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,972.25
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Prerequisite
    36 PHIL points at 200-level or above
    Eligibility

    The paper is designed for honours students in philosophy.

    Contact

    Associate Professor Heather Dyke

    Teaching staff

    Course Co-ordinator: Associate Professor Heather Dyke

    Lecturers: Associate Professor Heather Dyke and Professor Stuart Brock

    Paper Structure
    1. Philosophy of Time, beginning with McTaggart’s famous argument for the unreality of time, and examining the chief metaphysical theories of time and the problems they face.
    2. Religious Fictionalism, beginning with a broad discussion of fictionalism in philosophy (metaphysics, ontological commitment and varieties of fictionalism), then examining recent papers for and against religious fictionalism in particular, contrasting the view with moral fictionalism.
    Teaching Arrangements

    Two 2-hour classes each week.

    Textbooks

    'Time' by Heather Dyke (Cambridge 2021).
    'Moral Fictionalism and Religious Fictionalism' edited by Richard Joyce and Stuart Brock (2023).

    Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Information literacy, Research.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes
    1. Understand and communicate key concepts in foundational philosophy.
    2. Demonstrate familiarity, and critically engage with key philosophical works in foundational philosophy.
    3. Work in team-based learning groups with the opportunity to engage in constructive discussions and collaborative workflow.
    4. Understand key debates in foundational philosophy.

    Timetable

    Semester 1

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

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Thursday 10:00-11:50 9-16, 18-22
    Friday 11:00-12:50 9-15, 18-21
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