24 Introduction
Exploring Metaphysics
Module Introduction
Topics
- Mind/Body
- Consciousness; Identity
- The role of evil; God
What is really real?
Who are we?
Are we really real?
Metaphysics, as we’d previously studied, asks the question, “What is really real?” It also serves to distinguish appearance from reality. In this module, we will be reading myriad sources about what constitutes the nature of reality from a cross-cultural perspective, as we search for understanding of the vast depth of perspectives of what seems to appear, at first to be such a trivial question.
Lastly, we will examine what constitutes the nature of the human person as a metaphysical entity.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate proficiency in critical thinking
- Demonstrate understanding of Global Social Responsibility
- Recognize the relationships between cultural expressions and their contexts
- Understand cultural expressions
- Interpret and evaluate cultural artifacts and/or their contexts for significance
- Recognize concepts in metaphysics, axiology, and epistemology and the context of their development
- Comprehend the scope of philosophic inquiry and how beliefs are formed and justified especially within a particular cultural construct
- Understand the principles of freedom, determinism and moral responsibility in human interaction
Module Objectives
Upon completion of this module the student will be able to:
- Define ontology and describe its related classifications in the history of ideas
- Contrast Materialism from Idealism; Define and compare Monism, Dualism, and Pluralism
- State the difference between a human person and a human being
- Define Atman
- Distinguish the ego theory of the self from the bundle theory
- Explain the mind/body problem (1)
Readings and Resources
- Plato, Republic Section 506c — 520a from Perseus Digital Library, Tufts University
- Metaphysics: Ship of Theseus from Wikipedia.
Supplemental Materials
(Note: These materials are considered supplemental and thus are not used for assessment purposes)
- Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy website
- Leonardo DiCaprio & The Nature of Reality: Crash Course Philosophy # 4 by CrashCourse
- “Man, as Project,” by Ortega y Gasset and translated by Samuel P. Moody
- Philosophy — Metaphysics: Ship of Theseus [HD] by Wireless Philosophy
- A Romp Through the Philosophy of Mind — Session One: Identity Theory and Why It Won’t Work by Marianne Talbot
- Aquinas and the Cosmological Arguments: Crash Course Philosophy #10 by CrashCourse
- Personal Identity: Crash Course Philosophy #19 by CrashCourse
- Arguments Against Personal Identity: Crash Course Philosophy #20 by CrashCourse
- Personhood: Crash Course Philosophy # 21 by CrashCourse
- Where Does Your Mind Reside?: Crash Course Philosophy #22 by CrashCourse
- Artificial Intelligence & Personhood: Crash Couse Philosophy #23 by CrashCourse
Assignments & Learning Activities
- Review Introduction
- Review Readings and Resources
- Review Learning Unit
- Participate in Module 5 Discussion
- Work on Assignment: Thematic Synthesis Essay
- Take Quiz 2