24.221: Metaphysics
Spring 2003


Professor Sally Haslanger
Office: E39-349
Mail drop: E39-245
Phone: 617-253-4458
Office Hours: 9:30-10:30am Wednesdays and by appointment
email: shaslang@mit.edu
URL: http://www.mit.edu/~shaslang/home.html

Meeting time: MW 12:30-2
Classroom: 5-217 **NOTE ROOM CHANGE**
Course URL: http://www.mit.edu/~shaslang/courses/221(03).html

Description: The course will provide a survey of recent work on central topics in metaphysics, e.g., existence, universals, particulars, events, freewill.

Texts:
The original textbook ordered for the course will not be available.  Another text has been ordered, but will not be delivered for a couple of weeks.  In the meantime, we'll make do with some online articles and handouts:
Eventually available at the MIT COOP:
    Contemporary Readings in the Foundations of Metaphysics (CRFM),  ed., Stephen Laurence and Cynthia Macdonald (Blackwell 1998)
Now available at the MIT COOP:
    Free Will (FW), ed., Gary Watson (Oxford University Press, 1983)

Course Requirements:

    Reading assignments will range from about 40-100 pages per week. It is essential that everyone read these assignments in preparation for class meetings.   Reading questions will be distributed six times during the term; students must turn in short answers to these reading questions at least 5 times during the term (alternatively, the five highest marks will be counted).  Reading assignments are due in class, and no late assignments will be accepted.
    At least once during the term each student must do a short "text analysis presentation" in class with another student and a 2-3 page write-up of the presentation.  Details will be provided in the first class.
    There will be two 5-7 page papers (1600-2000 words) due during the term.  Paper topics will be distributed in advance.  Students must write on one of the listed topics unless an alternative topic is approved.


Evaluation:
The student's final grade will be based on written work, class participation, and improvement over the term.   (The two papers will count for approximately 80% of the grade; reading questions, presentations, participation, improvement, etc. will count for approximately 20%.)  Late papers will be graded down unless an extension is granted in advance of the due date (except, of course, in case of medical or family emergency).

Readings and Assignments (Tentative Schedule):

I.   Metaphysics and Ontology
2/5
Introductory class


II.  Abstract Objects

2/10
Stephen Laurence and Cynthia Macdonald, "Introduction: Metaphysics and Ontology" (handout and in CRFM), and W. V. O. Quine, "On What There Is" (handout and in CRFM).
**optional**  Lynne Rudder Baker, "Philosophy In Mediis Rebus" (pdf)

2/12
E. J. Lowe, "The Metaphysics of Abstract Objects" (pdf)

2/18
Gideon Rosen, "Nominalism, Naturalism, Epistemic Relativism" (pdf)
NOTE TUESDAY CLASS

III.  Universals
2/19
David Armstrong,  "The Problem" and "Resemblance Nominalism" in Universals: An Opinionated Introduction (handout)

2/24
M. Devitt, “’Ostrich Nominalism’ or ‘Mirage Realism’?”  D. Armstrong, “Against ‘Ostrich’ Nominalism: A reply to Michael Devitt.”  W. V. O. Quine, “Soft Impeachment Disowned.” (handout)
Presentation:
Bohmann, Ortiz
2/26
David Lewis, "New Work for a Theory of Universals" (in CRFM)
homework due
Presentation:
Martin, Mestel
3/5
D. M. Armstrong, "A World of States of Affairs" (pdf)   Now that we have the textbook, we postpone reading this article.  Instead of Armstrong for 3/5, please move to the next set of readings (Loux and Allaire) scheduled originally for 3/10.  We will return to the Armstrong just before break.


IV.  Particulars
3/3
Paper topics distributed.

3/10
3/5
Michael Loux, "Beyond Substrata and Bundles" (CRFM)
(Note that the Allaire essay originally assigned for this date has been moved to 3/10, so the entire debate about bare particulars is now assigned for that date.)

3/12
3/10
Edwin Allaire, "Bare Particulars" (CRFM)
V. C. Chappell, "Particulars Re-clothed" (CRFM)
Edwin Allaire, "Another Look at Bare Particulars" (CRFM)
homework due
3/17
3/12

James van Cleve, "Three Versions of the Bundle Theory" (CRFM)

3/19
3/17
Cynthia Macdonald, "Tropes and Other Things" (CRFM)
Peter Simons, "Particulars in Particular Clothing..."   (CRFM)

3/19
David Armstrong, "A World of States of Affairs" (pdf)

3/21
FIRST PAPER DUE: note that this is a change from the earlier due date of 3/19 (in class).  PAPER TOPICS HERE.
You may email it to me or deliver it to E39-245.

SPRING BREAK

VI.  Events
3/31
Laurence Lombard, "Ontologies of Events" (CRFM)
Donald Davidson, "The Individuation of Events" (CRFM)

4/2
Jaegwon Kim, "Events as Property Exemplifications" (CRFM)
Presentation:
Adeboje, Colagiovanni
4/7
Helen Beebee, "Causation" (pdf)


VI.  Free Will and Determinism
4/9
A. J. Ayer, "Freedom and Necessity" (FW)
handout: Freewill I
homework due.
Presentation:
Zepeda, Hernandez
4/14
R. Chisholm, "Human Freedom and the Self" (FW)
handout: Freewill II

4/16
Peter van Inwagen, "The Incompatibility of Free Will and Determinism" (FW)
Presentation:
Flitter, Uhle
4/21
NO CLASS (MIT vacation)


VII.  Free Will and Responsibility
4/23
Peter Strawson, "Freedom and Resentment" (FW)
homework due.
Presentation:
Wang, Roberts
4/28
Jay Wallace, "Methodological Interlude" Ch. 4 in Responsibility and the Moral Sentiments. (handout)
Presentation:
Hebert, Sedeño
4/30
Harry Frankfurt, "Freedom of the Will and the Concept of a Person" (FW)
homework due.
Presentation:
Michalakis, Faust
5/5
Susan Wolf, "Sanity and the Metaphysics of Responsibility" and Ch 5 of Freedom Within Reason. (handout)
2nd paper topics
5/7
Gary Watson, "Free Agency" (FW)

5/12
Charles Taylor, "Responsibility for Self" (FW)

5/14
continuing discussion
2nd paper due

There will be no final exam for the course.