161-247 The Structure of Reality

At least one first-year philosophy subject, or permission from the Head of School or the subject coordinator.

This subject introduces students to contemporary metaphysics, or more precisely to that branch of the subject known as ontology: traditionally described as 'the study of being'. We shall study the subject principally by examining the work of contemporary philosophers in the analytical tradition, such as the Americans W V O Quine and David Lewis, the English philosophers David Wiggins and Derek Parfit, and the Australian D M Armstrong. Typical of the topics discussed are the range of existing things: in what sense, if any, do minds, persons, numbers, fictional entities, and merely possible things exist, side by side with familiar material objects? We shall look at the role of identity criteria and of the possession of causal powers in deciding such issues. A further question concerns the existence of general things ('universals', such as redness) over and above the particular things in which they are instanced. On completing this subject, students should have a critical knowledge of the main issues in contemporary analytical metaphysics, and be in a position to go on to more advanced work in the area.

• acquire the ability to comprehend and evaluate complex argumentative text;

• have learnt to appreciate the importance of subtle differences of detail in theoretical dispute, and their ramifications;

• have learnt to think in highly abstract and theoretical terms.

A written assignment of 2000 words 50% (due mid semester), tutorial participation 3%, and a 2-hour written examination (not open-book) 47% (at the end of the semester).

A subject reader will be available.