METAPHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY

1. Understand the nature of metaphysics and its relationship to anthropology
2. Critically analyze different theories of the soul across cultures
3. Evaluate the concept of identity and its connection to permanence and continuity
4. Examine the interplay between individualism and communalism in African societies
5. Articulate the concept of personhood from various philosophical perspectives
6. Apply metaphysical concepts to understand human existence and the human condition

13 weeks, about 80 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: Clarification of Concepts

   • Unit 1: Metaphysics · 5 hours

     Define metaphysics, understand its nature and scope.. Explore theories of metaphysics and metaphysical problems.. Analyze logical positivism's critique of metaphysics..

   • Unit 2: Anthropology · 4 hours

     Define anthropology and its various branches.. Understand the focus of physical/biological anthropology.. Identify specific fields of study in anthropology..

2. Week 2Module 1: Clarification of Concepts

   • Unit 3: Ontology · 5 hours

     Explain the meaning of ontology and its types.. Identify major ontologists in the history of philosophy.. Examine unique characteristics of African ontology..

   • Unit 4: Mortality and Immortality · 4 hours

     Understand mortality and immortality.. Understand the concept of mortality and immortality in the Yoruba culture.. Identify arguments for and against immortality..

3. Week 3Module 2: Theories of Soul

   • Unit 1: On the Concept of Soul · 6 hours

     Understand the concept of the soul.. Understand the etymology and origin of the soul.. Analyze philosophical and religious perspectives on the concept of the soul..

4. Week 4Module 2: Theories of Soul

   • Unit 2: Soul in pre-Socratic philosophy · 6 hours

     Understand the nature of the soul in Pythagoras' philosophy.. Understand the nature of the soul in Empedocles' philosophy.. Understand the nature of the soul in Anaxagoras' philosophy..

5. Week 5Module 2: Theories of Soul

   • Unit 3: Soul in Plato's Philosophy · 6 hours

     Understand Plato's theory of forms.. Understand Plato's tripartite theory of the soul.. Analyze the relationship between the soul and the world of forms..

6. Week 6Module 2: Theories of Soul

   • Unit 4: Aristotle on soul · 6 hours

     Understand the three dimensions of the soul in Aristotle's philosophy.. Understand the soul-body relationship in Aristotle's philosophy.. Compare Aristotle's view with Plato's..

7. Week 7Module 2: Theories of Soul

   • Unit 5: African Notions of Soul (Yoruba and Akan) · 6 hours

     Understand the constituents of a person in Yoruba traditional thought.. Understand the meaning and significance of Okan, Ori and Emi in Yoruba traditional thought.. Understand the meaning and significance of Okra in Akan traditional thought..

8. Week 8Module 2: Theories of Soul

   • Unit 6: Soul in Ancient Chinese Thought · 6 hours

     Understand the concept of soul in ancient Chinese thought.. Understand the difference between hun and p'o.. Understand the significance of hun and p'o in ancient Chinese thought..

9. Week 9Module 2: Theories of Soul

   • Unit 7: Soul in Hindu Philosophy · 6 hours

     Understand the nature of the soul in Hindu philosophy.. Understand the meaning of reincarnation in Hindu philosophy.. Explore the concepts of atman and karma..

10. Week 10Module 3: The Question of Identity

    • Unit 1: Identity: Meaning, types and sources · 5 hours

      Know the meaning of identity beyond its popular day-to-day usage.. Recognize the main types of identity.. Recognize the main sources of identity..

11. Week 11Module 3: The Question of Identity

    • Unit 2: Identity and permanence · 5 hours

      Understand permanence in relation to identity.. Articulate the individual concepts of identity and permanence.. Analyze philosophical perspectives on permanence..

12. Week 12Module 3: The Question of Identity

    • Unit 3: Identity and continuity · 5 hours

      Understand the meaning of continuity.. Place identity within the context of continuity.. Realize the moral implication of continuity..

13. Week 13Module 3: The Question of Identity

    • Unit 4: Identity and Self-Transcendence · 5 hours

      Learn the meaning of self-transcendence.. Understand the moral implication of self-transcendence.. Explore psychological, philosophical, and spiritual approaches to self-transcendence..