2006 Handbooks

This course examines some traditional questions in metaphysics, focusing on questions about the fundamental nature of reality. The first half of the course is devoted to considering questions about the constituents and structure of reality. Are there properties as well as things? Do we need to postulate the existence of abstract objects? Are there possible worlds in addition to the actual world? What is the nature of time? Does time flow or is it static? What is causation? Is time travel possible? The second half of the course is devoted to a critical examination of the metaphysical theory of materialism, which states that everything is ultimately physical in nature. We will examine this theory's explanations of colour, consciousness, free will, and value. The course concludes with a discussion of whether there is, indeed, a single, ultimate reality, or whether a pluralistic view makes more sense.