Introduction To Metaphysics
- Arts
- 200 level
- 2 credit units
- 94 pages
- 10 units
This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of metaphysics. It explores the nature of reality, existence, and being, examining ontological issues and the relationship between metaphysics and science. Topics include general and special metaphysics, substance, matter and form, universals and particulars, and appearance versus reality. The course aims to equip students with the ability to critically analyze metaphysical arguments and understand their implications.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 52 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of PHL201, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
PHL201 · UNIT 1: The Meaning of Metaphysics
This section considers the fact that philosophers differ in their understanding of metaphysics. In what follows we shall look at the various understanding of the term among philosophers.
What you should be able to do
- Understand the meaning and nature of metaphysics
- Examine fundamental ontological questions
- Analyze critical topics in special metaphysics
- Evaluate the relationship between metaphysics and science
- Differentiate general and special metaphysics
What it prepares you for
- Philosopher
- Theologian
- Policy Analyst
- Researcher
- Education
- Research
- Government
- Consulting
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Ontological Issues in Metaphysics
Unit 1: The Problem of Being
The unit introduces abstract concepts of being and non-being, requiring careful analysis of Parmenides' arguments and their implications for understanding existence.
- Module 2: Ontological Issues in Metaphysics
Unit 2: Substance
Understanding the nuances of primary and secondary substances, and their relationship to each other, requires careful attention to Aristotle's complex arguments.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 58 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: The Nature of Metaphysics
Unit 1: The Meaning of Metaphysics · 4 hours
Read Unit 1: Defining metaphysics, misconceptions, etymological meaning, philosophical definitions.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 1: Differentiate metaphysics from occultism.. Reflect on the nature of reality..
- Week 2Module 1: The Nature of Metaphysics
Unit 2: The Divisions of Metaphysics · 4 hours
Study Unit 2: General vs. special metaphysics, ontology, natural theology, cosmology, rational psychology.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 2: Differentiate general from special metaphysics.. Consider the scope of metaphysical inquiry..
- Week 3Module 1: The Nature of Metaphysics
Unit 3: Methods of Metaphysics · 4 hours
Explore Unit 3: Aporetic, a priori, a posteriori methods, analogy of being.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 3: Compare a priori and a posteriori methods.. Apply metaphysical methods to philosophical problems..
- Week 4Module 1: The Nature of Metaphysics
Unit 4: Metaphysics and Other Branches of Philosophy · 4 hours
Examine Unit 4: Relationships between metaphysics, axiology, epistemology, and logic.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 4: Explain the relationship between metaphysics and ethics.. Analyze the role of metaphysics in philosophical inquiry..
- Week 5Module 1: The Nature of Metaphysics
Unit 5: The Value of Metaphysics · 4 hours
Review Unit 5: Arguments against and importance of metaphysics.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 5: Discuss Nietzsche's critique of metaphysics.. Evaluate the value of metaphysical inquiry..
- Week 6Module 2: Ontological Issues in Metaphysics
Unit 1: The Problem of Being · 4 hours
Study Unit 1: Problematizing the question of being, Parmenides' permanent one, Aristotle, Heidegger, Quine.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 1: Discuss the characteristics of Being in Parmenides.. Reflect on the nature of existence..
- Week 7Module 2: Ontological Issues in Metaphysics
Unit 2: Substance · 4 hours
Examine Unit 2: The nature, Aristotle's ideas, divisions, characteristics, and attacks on the idea of substance.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 2: Explain that a substance is that which is never said of a subject nor in a subject.. Analyze the concept of substance..
- Week 8Module 2: Ontological Issues in Metaphysics
Unit 3: Hylomorphism (Matter and Form) · 4 hours
Explore Unit 3: Etymological meaning, Aristotle, scholastic, Descartes, Le Bosu, non-hylomorphic ideas.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 3: Describe the three senses of matter in Aristotle.. Consider the composition of the world..
- Week 9Module 2: Ontological Issues in Metaphysics
Unit 4: Universals and Particulars · 4 hours
Study Unit 4: Problematizing the question, ancient origin, making sense of particulars and universals, disagreements, Locke.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 4: Compare and contrast Aristotle's and Plato's notion of universals.. Reflect on the relationship between universals and particulars..
- Week 10Module 2: Ontological Issues in Metaphysics
Unit 5: Appearance and Reality · 4 hours
Review Unit 5: History of the problem of appearance and reality.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 5: Discuss the problem of appearance and reality.. Analyze the nature of reality..
- Week 11Module 3: Issues in Special Metaphysics
Units in Module 3 and Module 4 · 6 hours
Study Module 3 and Module 4 units.. Review key concepts and prepare for assignments..
- Week 12Module 4: Metaphysics and Science
Final Revision · 6 hours
Complete assignments and review all course materials.. Prepare for final examinations..
- Week 13Module 4: Metaphysics and Science
Final Revision · 6 hours
Final revision and preparation for examinations..
Preparing for the exam
- Create concept maps linking Module 1's units on metaphysical methods
- Focus on Aristotle's concepts of substance and essence from Module 2
- Practice applying a priori reasoning to ethical dilemmas from Module 3
- Review the different interpretations of causality in Module 4
- Prioritize understanding key definitions and distinctions rather than memorizing names
- Form study groups to discuss complex arguments and challenge each other's understanding
Questions students ask about this course
What is PHL201 about?
This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of metaphysics. It explores the nature of reality, existence, and being, examining ontological issues and the relationship between metaphysics and science. Topics include general and special metaphysics, substance, matter and form, universals and particulars, and appearance versus reality. The course aims to equip students with the ability to critically analyze metaphysical arguments and understand their implications.
How many units does PHL201 have?
PHL201, Introduction To Metaphysics, has 10 units across 2 modules, over 94 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is PHL201?
PHL201 carries 2 credit units, at 200 level in Arts.
Is PHL201 hard?
PHL201 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.
How long does PHL201 take to study?
About 52 hours of study, spread across its 10 units.
How is PHL201 assessed?
PHL201 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with PHL201?
Philosopher, Theologian, Policy Analyst and Researcher.