Topics in Metaphysics

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

Admission to fourth year Honours or the Graduate Diploma (Advanced) in the discipline of Philosophy

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This unit covers selected issues in contemporary metaphysics. We will focus on a particular philosophical issue (e.g. ontology, possibility, necessity, the nature of objects), and look at contemporary work addressing this issue.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• show an understanding of selected issues in contemporary metaphysics;
• manifest philosophical skill in arguing in an alert and well informed way for conclusions related to these issues;
• display acquaintance with some important past contributions to the discussion of those issues;
• indicate an awareness of how the subject matter is related to broader concerns in contemporary philosophy;
• acquire the ability to locate issues concerning metaphysics;
• learn to evaluate sophisticated arguments offered in the literature.

• A 500 word essay, due week 4 (10%)
• A 500 word essay, due week 8 (10%)
• A 4000 word essay, due in week 12 (80%)

Hurdle requirement:

• Students must attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to pass this subject.
• All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. After five days late assessment will not be marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

A reading list will be issued at the beginning of semester.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.