Students will study the nature, constitution, and structure of reality. They will discuss grand theories of everything, such as metaphysical materialism, idealism, and metaphysical dualism. They will also discuss the differences between existence and essence and between substance, properties, accidents, and bundles. The course will clarify important distinctions between metaphysical realism and nominalism and between universals and particulars. Topics will extend to fundamental issues about personal identity, the nature of eternity and time, necessity and possibility, and others.
Prerequisites:
The Story of Philosophy (PHL‑121);
Logic (PHL‑122)
The Story of Philosophy
PHL‑121
“Philosophy,” according to Socrates, “begins with wonder.” In this course, we will survey fundamental metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical issues raised by this “story that began with wonder,” starting with the quest of the ancient Egyptians, Indians, and Chinese and then moving on to the ‘Big Questions’ asked by the ancient Greeks, medieval Christians, and other modern and contemporary Western thinkers.
Logic
PHL‑122
This course introduces students to logic–both deduction and induction–and develops critical thinking skills in relation to arguments and their evaluation. Students will examine the role of worldview in relation to logic and arguments and learn to compose cogent written arguments. The course will cover such topics as the importance of language, logical fallacies, sources of authority, and elementary philosophical concepts and categories.
