Humanities Arts Cultural Stu 0160 - Introduction to Metaphysics

What is ultimately or fundamentally real? What is the nature of being? Is reality ultimately physical or nonphysical? Is it one or many, visible or invisible, discrete or diffuse, eternal or temporal? Philosophers have offered the wildest and most varied answers to these questions. Today, metaphysical debates continue to rage within philosophy, cultural theory, and social theory. In this course, we will survey a range of metaphysical theories - from the ancient to the contemporary, and from Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. The texts will be difficult but deeply rewarding.

Culture, Humanities, and Languages Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research In this course, students are expected to spend approximately 6 hours weekly on work and preparation outside of class time.