Introduction to Metaphysics - PHI00003C

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Module summary

Metaphysics is the study of the fundamental nature of reality. This module introduces some key topics in metaphysics, such as: fatalism; determinism and freewill; personal identity; social ontology and race.

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Summer Term 2022-23

Module aims

Subject content:

This module aims to provide an introduction to some central questions in metaphysics, covering a selection of topics such as abstract objects, causation, possibility and necessity, the nature of time, and free will.

Academic and generic skills:

Students will be able to synthesize material from text and lecture sources, to discuss and share ideas with peers, to summarize key problems and positions, and to begin to develop critical analyses of potential solutions.

Module learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete the course will have a basic knowledge of some central issues in contemporary metaphysics, and be able to assess representative positions regarding them.

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Online Exam - 24 hrs (Centrally scheduled)	100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Online Exam - 24 hrs (Centrally scheduled)	100

Module feedback

Summative feedback will be given on the exam before the end of term.

Indicative reading

Alyssa Ney, Metaphysics: An Introduction (Routledge, 2015)