Reality Bites: Introduction to metaphysics

Erasmus University Rotterdam via Coursera

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/metaphysics

Introduction

### Course Review: Reality Bites: Introduction to Metaphysics **Overview:** If you've ever pondered the fundamental nature of reality, existence, and the world around you, then "Reality Bites: Introduction to Metaphysics" on Coursera is a course that will intrigue you. This course presents a unique culinary twist on metaphysics, utilizing everyday kitchen concepts to address complex philosophical ideas. With its engaging format and insightful content, this course promises to make speculative metaphysics more accessible and enjoyable. **Course Structure and Content:** The course is structured around eight modules, cleverly dubbed 'bites,' each designed to tackle substantial metaphysical problems in a digestible way. Here's a closer look at what each module covers: 1. **Metaphysics:** The introductory module lays the foundation by explaining what metaphysics is and its significance. It introduces ontology, the branch of metaphysics concerned with being, and delves into essential principles like parsimony along with Quine’s method for determining ontological commitments. 2. **Universals:** This module tackles the infamous problem of universals—how do properties exist? Are they universal and transcendent, or are they merely immanent, existing only in particulars? The distinction between types of properties is calmly and thoroughly examined. 3. **Substance:** Building on the previous discussions, this module asks a fundamental question: What differentiates one object from another when they share the same properties? It explores concepts like propertyless substrata and bundles of properties, prompting deep reflection on identity and existence. 4. **Time:** This module dives into the puzzling nature of time. Are only the present and past real? What about the future? The philosophical implications of McTaggart's arguments concerning time and change are explored, making students question their understanding of temporal existence. 5. **Causality:** An exploration of causation is next, where students confront the famous thoughts of Hume on human understanding of natural necessity. It contrasts Humean views with alternatives that perceive causation as a singular or a multifaceted phenomenon. 6. **Persistence:** The identity of objects through change is examined through the timeless Ship of Theseus riddle. The course investigates varying philosophies on how objects persist, presenting curious and profound challenges. 7. **Composition:** This segment tackles when objects coalesce to form a whole. It confronts the ambiguity of composition with discussions on extreme positions—either the non-existence of composite objects or that every combination constitutes new entities. 8. **Response-dependence:** The final module turns its gaze toward our perceptions of the world. It asks whether properties like color exist independently of our experiences, inviting students to contemplate the interplay between reality and perception. **Why I Recommend This Course:** - **Engaging Format:** The culinary theme makes complex metaphysical concepts more relatable. By framing metaphysical questions with everyday cooking experiences, the course demonstrates that philosophical inquiries can be both profound and accessible. - **Comprehensive Coverage:** Every module offers rich content that covers key metaphysical concepts while fostering critical thinking. Whether you are a beginner or someone with a philosophical background, the course offers valuable insights. - **Interactive Elements:** The course includes quizzes, discussion prompts, and reflective practices that encourage students to think deeply about the material and interact with fellow learners. - **Flexibility:** With Coursera’s user-friendly platform, you can learn at your own pace, fitting the course around your schedule. - **Diverse Perspectives:** The course presents various viewpoints and philosophical arguments, allowing students to explore and challenge their own beliefs on metaphysical issues. In summary, "Reality Bites: Introduction to Metaphysics" is not just a superficial introduction; it’s a profound exploration into the foundations of reality, crafted with creativity and intellectual rigor. If you're interested in diving into philosophy—or if you simply enjoy food—this course is a delightful and thought-provoking venture that is highly recommended. Sign up today and prepare to feast on the rich flavors of metaphysical inquiry!

Syllabus

Metaphysics

The introductory module explains what this thing called metaphysics is and what's it all about, namely: metaphysics is about all and everything. Furthermore, week 1 introduces ontology as the core of metaphysics, and explains its most fundamental methodological principles, like parsimony, and methodological tools, like Quine's method to determine one's ontological commitments.

Universals

The second module deals with the most famous and infamous problem in the whole history of metaphysics, i.e., the problem of universals. Whereas objects or 'particulars' can only be in one place at the same time, properties seem to be present in many places at the same time. This raises the question whether properties are, in contrast to particulars, transcendent or immanent 'universals'. Alternatively, properties can be reduced to classes of particulars, resemblances between particulars, or 'tropes', i.e., abstract particulars.

Substance

In more than one way, the problem of substance is the converse of the problem of universals. If two objects share all their properties, what individuates them from each other? And how do objects bear their properties? Does it take properties to be able to bear properties? Or if that quicks off an infinite regress, are substances propertyless substrata, naked substrata? Or mere bundles of properties, whether universals or tropes? Or still, are substances thick or thin particulars?

Time

We all think that we know that time passes. But there are some interesting metaphysical problems with time and its alleged passage. Firstly, do only objects and persons that exist now, really exist? Or also past objects and persons? Or perhaps even future objects and persons? Furthermore, is time real? Because, as McTaggart argues, if change is fundamental to time, the ordering of events in terms of past, present and future is, on the one hand, fundamental, and on the other hand, incoherent.

Causality

If one event causes another event, is there a relation of necessity between the two? Famously, Hume argued there was no natural necessity, and he proposed to reduce causation either to regularity or to counterfactual dependency. However, there are many objections and alternatives to Humeanism. Perhaps, causation is singular, simple or rather diverse.

Persistance

Objects can undergo changes and yet remain the same over time. They 'persist'. But what does that mean? What does it involve? In this module the conceptions and the arguments for and against 4 views about persistence are compared. Our starting point is the classic riddle of the Ship of Theseus.

Composition

The special composition question is the question when objects together become parts of a whole? Although it's intuitive that sometimes they do and sometimes they don't, it turns out to be notoriously difficult to pinpoint a criterion. That motivates numerous metaphysicians to argue for extreme answers: either that there are no composite objects at all, or that every single combination of disparate object constitutes a further, composite object.

Response-dependence

In the final module, our relation to the mind-independent world is at stake. Are certain properties, like colors and sounds, secondary qualities, meaning that they exist in the world merely as dispositions to trigger certain responses or experiences in us? And what is the scope of these secondary qualities, this response-dependency?