PHIL41350 Metaphysics (Level 4)

Academic Year 2016/2017

In this course we’ll address some contemporary philosophical questions concerning the nature of time and possibility. As for time, we’ll think about questions such as: what sort of picture of time do we get from contemporary physics, and how far should the philosophy of time defer to physics? What sort of picture of time do we get from our experience of time, and how far should the philosophy of time defer to our experience? What is the nature of change? What is it for time to 'pass'? Could there be time without change? Is time travel possible? As for possibility, we’ll think about questions like: what about the world could have been different? For example, could the laws of physics have been different? Could someone have had different parents than they actually have (and still be the same person)? When something could have been the case but isn’t, what in the world (if anything) makes that true?

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Students will gain a good understanding of contemporary debates in the metaphysics of time and modality (i.e. possibility and necessity). There will be a particular focus on the close reading and careful analysis of original texts; the methodology of contemporary metaphysics; the development of original argumentation; and the skill of verbal and visual presentation.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Autonomous Student Learning

226
Total

250
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.



 
Description % of Final Grade Timing
Essay: Written essay: 3000 words

40

 Week 10
Essay: Written essay: 3000 words

40

 Week 5
Presentation: Class presentation

20

 Varies over the Trimester

Compensation

This module is not passable by compensation

Resit Opportunities

In-semester assessment

Remediation

Students who fail this course may resit, repeat or substitute where permissable.