PHI 4500

Metaphysics
Fall 2014
TR 11:00-12:15
LSB002


Instructor: Randolph Clarke
Office: Dodd 154A
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: Wednesdays and Thursdays 2:00-4:00, and by appointment


Course Description and Objectives

Metaphysics concerns the basic features of reality, covering topics such as personal identity, the
nature of time, free will, causation and laws of nature, and whether there exist universals as well
as particulars. This course will provide students with a survey of some of the main issues in
metaphysics. An emphasis will be placed on critical examination of arguments for and against
competing views. Students will have the opportunity to examine and develop their own positions
on these issues. The graded assignments will emphasize clear expository and analytical writing.

Learning Objectives:

Learn what some of the main problems of metaphysics are
Learn what some of the main positions on these issues are
Critically evaluate arguments for and against the various positions
Develop ones one views on these questions
Develop analytical and critical thinking skills
Develop expository and analytical writing skills


Course Requirements

1. Reading assignments for each class are given in the schedule for class meetings (later in this
syllabus). Students are expected to have carefully read the assignment before each class.

2. Students who do not regularly attend class will not do well in this course. If you do miss a
class, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and to get notes and handouts.

3. There will be several brief quizzes on the reading assignments, given at the beginning of the
class period. The quizzes will not be announced ahead of time, and there will be no make-ups.
However, there will be enough quizzes so that you can get full credit even if you miss a couple
of them. Your quiz grade will count 10% of your course grade. Note that if you dont do the
assigned reading and come to class, you stand to lose 10 points from your course grade!

4. There will be one in-class exam and a non-cumulative final exam, each covering
approximately one-half of the course. Each exam will count 30% of your course grade.

5. One paper is required. It should be about 1,800-2,000 words long. The paper will count 30%
of your course grade. The paper must be turned in through Turnitin; a hard copy must also be
submitted. See the Guidelines for Papers (later in this syllabus) for further instructions.


Note: Cell phones should be turned off in the classroom.


Grading Scale

93-100 A
90-92.99 A-
87-89.99 B+
83-86.99 B
80-82.99 B-
77-79.99 C+
73-76.99 C
70-72.99 C-
67-69.99 D+
63-66.99 D
60-62.99 D-
0-59.99 F


Required Texts

(CS) Conee & Sider, Riddles of Existence. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005.

(VZ) Van Inwagen & Zimmerman, editors, Metaphysics: The Big Questions, 2
nd
edition. Oxford:
Blackwell, 2008.

The texts are available at the FSU Bookstore and Bills Bookstore.


Schedule for Class Meetings (subject to change)

1. Aug. 26 Introductory Remarks

Personal Identity
2. Aug. 28 CS 7-15

3. Sept. 2 CS 15-21

4. Sept. 4 VZ 333-347

5. Sept. 9 VZ 347-361

6. Sept. 11 VZ 368-384

7. Sept. 16 VZ 241-263

Time
8. Sept. 18 CS 44-52

9. Sept. 23 CS 52-61

10. Sept. 25 VZ 129-141

11. Sept. 30 VZ 149-161

12. Oct. 2 VZ 224-235

13. Oct. 7 Exam

Free Will
14. Oct. 9 CS 112-125

15. Oct. 14 CS 125-133

16. Oct. 16 VZ 441-450

17. Oct. 21 VZ 450-456

18. Oct. 23 VZ 456-465

19. Oct. 28 VZ 471-479

20. Oct. 30 VZ 480-492

Causation and Laws of Nature
21. Nov. 4 CS 181-190
Paper Due

22. Nov. 6 VZ 285-289

Veterans Day Holiday

23. Nov. 13 Lewis (on Blackboard)


Properties
24. Nov. 18 CS 154-169

25. Nov. 20 CS 169-171
VZ 59-67

26. Nov. 25 CS 171-180

Thanksgiving Holiday

27. Dec. 2 VZ 84-96

Second Exam: Friday, Dec. 12, 3:00-5:00
Guidelines for Papers

1. Assignment: Approximately two weeks prior to the due date, you will receive a list of topics
to choose from. If you want to write on a topic not on the list, you must get prior approval.

2. Length: The text of the paper should be 1,800-2,000 words long, typed, double-spaced.
Include a word count at the end of your paper.

3. Kind of paper: Your paper should describe the issue on which you have chosen to focus, lay
out the position you have chosen to take on that issue, and defend that position. Your position
might be, for example, a criticism of a particular philosophers view, or a defense of a particular
view from a certain objection, or a suggested revision of a view that enables it to avoid a certain
criticism.

You might need to explicate a view or an argument you are focusing on; do this clearly and
accurately. A major part of the paper should consist of your argument for the position you have
taken. Present reasons why your view should be accepted, consider objections to your position,
and reply to those objections. Aim to persuade your reader.

4. Research: Your paper should draw from at least one of the assigned readings for the course.
You may, but you need not, draw from additional sources. For the latter, good places to look are
readings in the van Inwagen & Zimmerman anthology that are not assigned, and the suggested
further readings at the ends of chapters in the Conee & Sider book. Feel free to consult the
instructor for help in finding source material.

5. Crediting sources: If you get an idea from something that you have read, include a footnote or
endnote identifying the source. If you quote something, use quotation marks and include a
footnote or endnote. For each reference, give full bibliographic information. For a book, give
author, title, city where published, publisher, and publication date. For an article in a journal,
give author, title, journal name, volume, year, and page numbers. For a web source, give the web
address and date accessed.

Whatever sources you use (whether oral, printed, or web-based), be sure to cite them correctly
and comply with the FSU Academic Honor Policy. If you are in doubt about whether you need to
cite a certain source, cite it!

6. Papers that have been (or are intended to be) submitted for other courses may not be submitted
for this one. If you have a question about the acceptability of something you are considering,
please discuss it with the instructor.

7. Due date: As noted on the syllabus. Late papers will be penalized.

8. Submitting papers: Hand in a paper copy in class on the due date. Also submit an electronic
copy via Turnitin on the course Blackboard site.

9. Consultation: If you have any questions, feel free to come and talk with the instructor.
University Attendance Policy

Excused absences include documented illness, deaths in the family and other documented crises,
call to active military duty or jury duty, religious holy days, and official University activities.
These absences will be accommodated in a way that does not arbitrarily penalize students who
have a valid excuse. Consideration will also be given to students whose dependent children
experience serious illness.


Academic Honor Policy

The Florida State University Academic Honor Policy outlines the Universitys expectations for
the integrity of students academic work, the procedures for resolving alleged violations of those
expectations, and the rights and responsibilities of students and faculty members throughout the
process. Students are responsible for reading the Academic Honor Policy and for living up to
their pledge to . . . be honest and truthful and . . . [to] strive for personal and institutional
integrity at Florida State University. (Florida State University Academic Honor Policy, found at
fda.fsu.edu/Academics/Academic-Honor-Policy)


Americans With Disabilities Act

Students with disabilities needing academic accommodation should: (1) register with and
provide documentation to the Student Disability Resource Center; and (2) bring a letter to the
instructor indicating the need for accommodation and what type. This should be done during the
first week of class.

This syllabus and other class materials are available in alternative format upon request.
For more information about services available to FSU students with disabilities, contact the:

Student Disability Resource Center, 874 Traditions Way, 108 Student Services Building, Florida
State University, Tallahassee FL 32306-4167
(850) 644-9566 (voice) (850) 644-8504 (TDD)
[email protected]
disabilitycenter.fsu.edu


Syllabus Change Policy

Except for changes that substantially affect implementation of the evaluation (grading)
statement, this syllabus is a guide for the course and is subject to change with advance notice.