Metaphysics

Catalog description

This course introduces students to some of the central themes and topics in metaphysics, which is the branch of philosophy that studies the fundamental nature of reality, including fundamental questions about the nature of human beings. Students will examine a variety of difficult and controversial metaphysical questions, including but not limited to: “Are we identical to our bodies?,” ”Do we have free will?,” ”Is time an illusion?,” ”Why is there something rather than nothing?” Major elements of this course include close and critical reading of challenging philosophical texts, reconstruction and evaluation of philosophical arguments, and independent reflection and reasoning on topics and positions of metaphysical significance.