The Nature of Reality

This subject is not offered in 2013.

an anverage of 8.5 hours per week

None.

None.

One of the following subjects is recommended but not required:

None.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Is there a reality independent of human beings, or do we construct the world? If reality is independent of human beings, then how do we gain epistemic access to it, i.e. how could we know about such a world? If reality isn't independent of human beings, how do we explain the extent to which our judgements covary, i.e. we both seem to think that there's a table in the dining room and that Elizabeth II is the Queen of England? In this subject we'll examine the metaphysical underpinnings of the nature of reality. In particular, we'll look at the nature of ordinary objects, whether there's such a thing as causation (i.e. Does A ever cause B to occur?), and whether realist (i.e. mind-independent) or anti-realist (i.e. mind-dependent) accounts of the world are correct.

For further subject information please visit: http://shaps.unimelb.edu.au/students/undergraduate/handbook-study-guides.html

On completing this subject students will:

• have a critical understanding of the main issues in contemporary analytical metaphysics.
• have developed skills in philosophical reasoning concerning issues covered.
• be in a position to go on to more advanced work in this area.

Written assignment of 1000 words (due mid-semester): 30%. Written assignment of 2000 words (due end of semester): 50%. Two in-class Quizzes 10% each.

Hurdle Requirements: A hurdle requirement of a minimum attendance at 80% of tutorials applies in this subject. Regular participation in tutorials is required. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day, after 5 working days late assessment will not be marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject..

A subject reader will be available at the university bookshop at the beginning of semester.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Students who successfully complete this subject should:

• develop familiarity with the main issues in contemporary metaphysics and ability to understand how metaphysics fits with other disciplines, and how it applies outside academia.
• develop the ability to think critically and systematically about abstract intellectual problems, and the ability to apply such abstract reasoning to concrete situations.
• develop the ability to read critically and to analyze ideas (one's own and those of the authors read) orally and in writing.