what does a philosophy course in metaphysics cover

The curriculum covers possibility and necessity, the nature of causation, the nature of events and the idea of existence. Students study such metaphysical ideas as freedom, truth, identity, existence, time, properties, causality, universals, particulars and reality. Reasoning Students are introduced to logic and argument.

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What is metaphysics?

Metaphysics is the study of ultimate cause in the Universe. Metaphysics is the only science capable of inquiring beyond physical and human science. Traditionally, the word Metaphysics comes to us from Ancient Greece, where it was a combination of two words – Meta, meaning over and beyond – and physics. Thus, the combination means ...

Do metaphysics practitioners need spiritual philosophy?

All but a very few practitioners in metaphysics today have a pivotal point of some sort of spiritual philosophy in whatever system or teaching of metaphysics they are engaged. It is important to understand this, especially when reviewing the legal technicalities of being in metaphysics professionally.

What is the course curriculum for a philosophy major?

The course curriculum for a philosophy major covers all the important areas of philosophy. Students, who are philosophy majors, may study logic, ancient philosophy, modern philosophy, ethics, reasoning, metaphysics and epistemology as part of their course curriculum.

What is philosophy?

To the contrary, Philosophy deals in a clear and precise manner with the real world, its complex social and material nature, and our place in it. Because of this, philosophical fields of studies are diverse.

What does metaphysics study in philosophy?

In modern philosophical terminology, metaphysics refers to the studies of what cannot be reached through objective studies of material reality. Areas of metaphysical studies include ontology, cosmology, and often, epistemology.

What is the main subject for the metaphysics branch of philosophy?

Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that studies the fundamental nature of reality, the first principles of being, identity and change, space and time, causality, necessity, and possibility.

What does a philosophy course teach?

It teaches critical thinking, close reading, clear writing, and logical analysis; it uses these to understand the language we use to describe the world, and our place within it. Different areas of philosophy are distinguished by the questions they ask.

What is metaphysics philosophy example?

The definition of metaphysics is a field of philosophy that is generally focused on how reality and the universe began. An example of metaphysics is a study of God versus the Big Bang theory.

What are the 3 major categories of metaphysics?

Peirce divided metaphysics into (1) ontology or general metaphysics, (2) psychical or religious metaphysics, and (3) physical metaphysics.

Is metaphysics a waste of time?

In summary it states that Metaphysics is a waste of time. This is how dire philosophy has become in academia. If we do the sums we get the results just as we do in mathematics but not everyone likes those results or makes an effort to understand them and then metaphysics gets the blame for their poor workmanship.

Is philosophy a hard class?

Readings for philosophy courses are generally not long, but they are difficult and challenging. You cannot expect to go through an assigned reading once and have an adequate grasp of it. Some students seem to thrive on the painstaking study required, while others simply don't have the patience for it.

What are philosophy courses like?

An introduction to philosophy through topics found in classical and contemporary philosophical writings, such as the nature of truth and knowledge, mind and body, freedom and determinism, right and wrong, and the existence of God. Course content varies from instructor to instructor.

What jobs can you get from studying philosophy?

Jobs for philosophy majors include a lawyer, systems analyst, cultural affairs officer, technical writer, and a critic.

Why is it important to study metaphysics?

Why is Metaphysics important? Metaphysics is the foundation of philosophy. Without an explanation or an interpretation of the world around us, we would be helpless to deal with reality. We could not feed ourselves, or act to preserve our lives.

What does a metaphysician do?

In academic circles, a metaphysician is a philosopher whose area of study or expertise is metaphysics: the study of the fundamental nature of reality and existence itself. 'Meta-' means beyond or transcending; so meta-physical means that which lies beyond, underlies or transcends the physical realm/world/reality.

What is the subject matter of metaphysics?

Ancient and Medieval philosophers might have said that metaphysics was, like chemistry or astrology, to be defined by its subject-matter: metaphysics was the “science” that studied “being as such” or “the first causes of things” or “things that do not change”.

What is metaphysics in philosophy?

In the definition found in most dictionaries, metaphysics is referred to as a branch of philosophy that deals with first cause and the nature of being. It is taught as a branch of philosophy in most academic universities under the label of “Speculative Philosophy.”.

Where does metaphysics come from?

Traditionally, the word Metaphysics comes to us from Ancient Greece, where it was a combination of two words – Meta, meaning over and beyond – and physics. Thus, the combination means over and beyond physics. In the definition found in most dictionaries, metaphysics is referred to as a branch of philosophy that deals with first cause and the nature of being. It is taught as a branch of philosophy in most academic universities under the label of “Speculative Philosophy.”

What is metaphysics religion?

Metaphysics is religion without dogma. Metaphysics does not explore religious beliefs and laws created by man, but rather, it explores the immutable laws of nature, set by The Creator, God/Universal Presence, in the creation of the Universe.

Does metaphysics include religions?

Metaphysics includes all religions but transcends them all .

Is metaphysics a spiritual philosophy?

If, then, this is the aim of such interests, it is why most professional metaphysical practitioners regard metaphysics as a spiritual philosophy or way of life. All but a very few practitioners in metaphysics today have a pivotal point of some sort of spiritual philosophy in whatever system or teaching of metaphysics they are engaged.

What is metaphysics in philosophy?

Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that examines the fundamental nature of reality, including the relationship between mind and matter, between substance and attribute, and between potentiality and actuality.The word "metaphysics" comes from two Greek words that, together, literally mean "after or behind or among [the study of] the natural". It has been suggested that the term might have been coined by a first century CE editor who assembled various small selections of Aristotle’s works into the treatise we now know by the name Metaphysics (ta meta ta phusika, 'after the Physics ', another of Aristotle's works).

Why is the Department of Philosophy important?

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What is the definition of metaphysics?

Putting its rather arbitrary etymological origins to one side, we can say the word ‘metaphysics’ refers to the exploration of basic issues around substance, existence, causality, determinism, modality, ontology, possibility, and nothingness — most of which are discussed by Aristotle in those initial writings grouped by Andronicus, but also by philosophers throughout history.

Why is metaphysics important?

Metaphysics adds a level of conceptual rigor and clarity that can only improve the steadfastness of our knowledge: it is not here to compete with or replace any other fields, it is here as a necessary supplement to them in our quest for truth about reality. Indeed, some argue that there is no real need to create a hard distinction between metaphysics and the sciences at all, for their aims are continuous and complementary.

What do physicists investigate?

For example, physicists may investigate the charge of a particle . A metaphysician asks what is charge, and what is a particle? A physicist may investigate how particles causally interact. A metaphysician attempts to characterize causation itself. A physicist may investigate the origins of the universe and theorize about its fundamental laws; a metaphysician asks why the universe exists — and why its laws obtain the way they do. A physicist uses mathematics to express theory; a metaphysician asks what numbers are (i.e. whether numbers actually exist, or if they’re just useful fictions). Indeed, ontology — the study of being or what it means for something to exist — has been a key battleground for metaphysicians throughout the ages.

How to distinguish metaphysics from the sciences?

A quick, dirty, and by no means foolproof way to distinguish metaphysics from the sciences is as follows: the sciences concern the specific ‘how’ of reality, metaphysics concerns the general ‘what’ and ‘why’.

Why is philosophy important?

Philosophy is to be studied, not for the sake of any definite answers to its questions since no definite answers can, as a rule, be known to be true, but rather for the sake of the questions themselves ; because these questions enlarge our conception of what is possible, enrich our intellectual imagination and diminish the dogmatic assurance which closes the mind against speculation; but above all because, through the greatness of the universe which philosophy contemplates, the mind also is rendered great, and becomes capable of that union with the universe which constitutes its highest good.

Is metaphysics a rabbit hole?

Metaphysics is a rabbit hole about which many disagree. Beyond the general lines of inquiry referenced above, debates abound over what metaphysics even is or should be — especially in its relation to modern science. However, as a quick summary we can say that, at root, many problems in science and philosophy — including whether we have free will, whether consciousness is physical, and what causation is — are metaphysical in nature.

Do scientists ask metaphysical questions?

Scientists or mathematicians may very well ask these questions too; but when they do so, it should be recognized that they are making metaphysical inquiries, and metaphysical positions should not be taken for granted.

How many units are there in the philosophy course?

The course is divided into three complementary termly units which build participants' knowledge and understanding of some important philosophical problems.

How many credits does the Institute of Philosophy have?

The Institute offers two 60 credit complementary one year Certificate courses in Philosophy which are taught and awarded at first year undergraduate level (FHEQ 4). The Certificates are currently taught in alternating years and can be taken in any order.

How many credits are required for a philosophy degree?

Students who have successfully completed the Undergraduate Certificate in Philosophy: History of Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind and Political Philosophy (60 credits at FHEQ level 4) and the Undergraduate Certificate in Philosophy: Metaphysics, Philosophy of Language and Ethics (60 credits at FHEQ level 4) can apply to be awarded the Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education in Philosophy (120 credits at FHEQ level 4).

What are the teaching methods?

Teaching methods will include lectures, presentations by guest speakers and facilitators, interactive and experiential learning activities, reading and assignments to be completed by participants outside classroom sessions and online discussion forums.

What are the two areas of ethics?

This unit will introduce you to two key areas within ethics: normative ethics and meta-ethics. We begin by considering what goods our ethical theories should promote. Pleasure? Happiness? Friendship? Justice? We will ask whether there are principles which determine what it is right to do, and, if so, what they are. Should we be aiming to maximise the good for everyone? Or to act in our own best interests? And how should such principles guide our actions? If giving to others is good, is giving more to others better? Is it legitimate to prefer some people over others when deciding whom to help? We will also explore some debates concerning the interpretation and evaluation of moral claims. Can moral beliefs be true? Should ‘It is wrong to hurt others needlessly’ be taken as a statement, a prescription telling others how to act, an expression of disapproval, or something else?

What are the three areas of the physics course?

No previous experience in the subject is necessary. The course will introduce some central topics in three areas – metaphysics, logic and the philosophy of language, and ethics.

What is expected of all students in a course?

All students are expected to take an active part in the course and submit work showing evidence of learning. Your learning will be enhanced by:

What is philosophy associated with?

Popularly, Philosophy is associated with stargazing and asking questions that are as vague as they are irrelevant, and to which there are no answers. To the contrary, Philosophy deals in a clear and precise manner with the real world, its complex social and material nature, and our place in it.

What does a metaphysicist do?

A metaphysician or philosopher of science might help provide conceptual clarity and reason through the implications of competing quantum mechanical theories. All fields of inquiry are open to the philosopher’s refinement. Back to Philosophy Homepage.

Why do we study philosophy?

To study Philosophy is to see the connection between ideas, and to explicate that connection in a reasoned and logical way. An ethicist, for example, might draw upon behavioral psychology to argue that humans should lead a certain kind of life.

What is the purpose of metaphysics?

Metaphysics. Metaphysics explores the relationships between different aspects of the natural world, causation between different things and the unchanging nature of others. The curriculum covers possibility and necessity, the nature of causation, the nature of events and the idea of existence. Students study such metaphysical ideas as freedom, ...

What is the curriculum for a philosophy major?

What Is the Course Curriculum for a Philosophy Major? The course curriculum for a philosophy major covers all the important areas of philosophy. Students, who are philosophy majors, may study logic, ancient philosophy, modern philosophy, ethics, reasoning, metaphysics and epistemology as part of their course curriculum. View Schools.

What is modern philosophy?

Modern Philosophy. The curriculum of a course in modern philosophy covers thinkers during the Enlightenment age, along with those of the critical, empiricist and rationalist traditions. Students study the ideas of morality, human knowledge and freedom through the works of Descartes, Spinoza, Locke, Hume and Bacon.

What is logic class?

Logic courses also typically cover the basic laws of reasoning and common logical fallacies by using examples in reasoning.

What are the major philosophers studied in the ancient world?

Students study all the major ancient philosophers, including Stoics, Epicureans, Skeptics and the pre-Socratics, along with Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and other noted Hellenistic philosophers. Problems considered may include the self and reality.

What are the ethical issues in philosophy?

Students look at the ethical issues surrounding just punishment, freedom, civil disobedience, justice, distributive justice, community, rights and the relationship between law and morality. They may go on to consider current and tradition theories of freedom, duty, happiness, evil, good, wrong, right and value.

What do students study in a deductive logic class?

Students study inductive and deductive logic. They also look at methods used to determine the reliability of both types of arguments. The course goes on to consider arguments composition, arguments informal evaluation and scientific thinking.