Metaphysics
Metaphysics is really the heart of philosophy since it deals with nothing less than
the nature of reality. It has two main divisions: Ontology, and what might be
called Transcendental Metaphysics. Ontology is concerned with the correct
answer to the question “what exists”, while Transcendental Metaphysics is
concerned to answer the questions “what is it for something to exist?”, “are their
different modes of existence (e.g. possible, actual, and necessary)?”and “if there
are different modes of existence, what are the truth makers for these modes?”
We can be more specific about this and say that Ontology tries to come up with a
complete list of all the fundamental categories of being, while transcendental
metaphysics is concerned with the nature of essence, existence, and their
relation, with the truth makers for modal claims, and with the transcendental
attributes of being (the attributes that hold of all beings simply as beings). Our
goal in this course is to examine some of the more celebrated answers to the
questions of Ontology and Transcendental Metaphysics and to assess their
various strengths and weakness. We will also be concerned with that branch of
Special Ontology known as cosmology and the philosophy of nature, which deals
with certain particular questions concerning the nature of material beings.
Texts:
On Being and Essence, Aquinas
E-texts
Handouts
Assignments:
Two essay exams (20 percent each); one 10 to 12 page critical paper assessing
the strengths and weakness of a metaphysical argument (worth 30 percent); one
presentation on the life and thought of a great metaphysician (wroth 10 percent);
class participation (worth 20 percent).
Grading Scale
94--100 A
90--93.9 A87--89.9 B+
84--86.9 B
80--83.9 B77--79.9 C+
74--76.9 C
70--73.9 C67--69.9 D+
64--66.9 D
60--63.9 D0--59.9 F
Regulations
Students are expected to turn in assignments and to show up on time for regularly
scheduled tests. If you have a cell phone, please turn it off before coming to class. Do
not speak to other students or write notes during class. It is rude and very distracting.
Plagiarism Policy: Plagiarism is using another person's words, ideas, or findings without
giving them proper credit. Any student who turns a paper into me which I suspect is
plagiarized has two options. She can admit that she plagiarized, in which case I will
allow her to rewrite the paper, or she can deny she did, in which case she will receive an
F for the paper and will not be able to rewrite it, if I there is sufficient evidence to render
the judgment that she did plagiarize probable.
Lap Top Policy: Students who wish to use lap tops to take notes must sit in the first two
rows. If, at any time during the class period, I infer that a student is using her lap top to
read emails, surf the web, etc. I will ask her to shot it off and not bring it to class again.
Office Hours
JRC, 205
Office Hours: M, 3:00—5:00, W, 1:00—2:45
Other Times by appointment
Phone: 651 962-5362
E mail: jdkronen@stthomas.edu
Web Page: http://personal2.stthomas.edu/jdkronen/