University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 2

Availability restrictions: Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable: To be confirmed.

The module will introduce students to contemporary metaphysics and its methodologies. The most important work carried out in metaphysics today is in metaontology. The two key questions of metaontology are: (a) ‘What do we mean when we ask “What is there?”’, and (b) ‘How should we do ontology?’. Accordingly, metaontology is about (a) the meaning of being and (b) the methodology of ontology—should ontology be done via thought experiments? By conceptual analysis? By looking at our best natural science? By systematizing our intuitions? In examining these questions, this module will present and discuss the main methodologies in contemporary metaphysics, such as mainstream Quinean metaontology; ontological pluralism; neo-Fregeanism; neo-Carnapianism and deflationism; fictionalism; Meinongianism; grounding theory; naturalized metaphysics.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass PY1012

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: Students will attend 3 hours of classes (2 hours of lectures and 1 of seminars) per week. The staff member will also hold a weekly office hour for consultation with the students on this module.

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%


Re-assessment: Coursework = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr P M Greenough
Module teaching staff: Dr Jason Carter
Module coordinator email pmg2@st-andrews.ac.uk

Intended learning outcomes

• Orient themselves in state-of-the-art contemporary ontology.
• Understand the main methodologies of contemporary ontological research.
• Engage critically with the literature in ontology and metaphysics.
• Write clearly and carefully in theoretical philosophy.
• Produce papers of good quality in ontology and metaphysics.