What is metaphysics?
Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that deals with the basic structures of reality. In this course we investigate questions of reality, personhood, personal identity, the mind-brain connection, the existence of a supreme being and freedom. Some philosophers have referred to metaphysics as the ‘first philosophy’, meaning that metaphysics is from where all other philosophical questions begin.
Chapter 6 PowerPoint Introducing Metaphysics
Click the image for the Chapter 6 PowerPoint introducing metaphysics. Please note that it is not complete. Refer to your text book for a more thorough introduction.
The Allegory of the Cave |
Crash Course Philosophy |
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What is Reality?
Are We in a Simulation?
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Philosophy and the Matrix: Return to the Source
Click the image for an interesting documentary that explores the various philosophical questions posed by The Matrix through interviews with several prominent philosophers and thinkers. This provides a good overview and some food for thought. The first half of the film deals with the first movie whereas the second half addresses the other additions to the franchise.
Click the image for an interesting documentary that explores the various philosophical questions posed by The Matrix through interviews with several prominent philosophers and thinkers. This provides a good overview and some food for thought. The first half of the film deals with the first movie whereas the second half addresses the other additions to the franchise.
The Experience Machine Reflection and Presentation |
A Short Explanation of the Experience Machine |
Chapter 7 PowerPoint Persons, Minds and Brains
Click the image for the PowerPoint. Please note: it is not complete. It is up to you to complete the notes on your own.
Chapter Notes and Quiz will be on the following dates:
Chapter Notes and Quiz will be on the following dates:
Mind-Brain Problem
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The Chinese Room and the Turing Test: Competing Views on A.I.
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Staying Alive |
Being Tortured in the Morning |
The Nature of Things: A Murder of Crows
Click the image for a link to the documentary A Murder of Crows.
As you screen the film, ask yourself, "What do the findings say about animal and human intelligence?" "What sort of moral implications do these finding have?"
As you screen the film, ask yourself, "What do the findings say about animal and human intelligence?" "What sort of moral implications do these finding have?"
Computer Passes the Turing Test
Judges in England were fooled into thinking the computer program they were conversing with was a human on Saturday — making it the first to pass the 65-year-old Turing Test.
Click the image to learn more.
Click the image to learn more.
The Meaning of Existence PowerPoint
Click the image for a supplementary PowerPoint on the existence of a supreme being.
The Ontological Argument
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Teleological Argument
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Questioning God
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The Big Bang: Genesis?
Below are some videos that try to explain the big bang, a secular version of the genesis story.
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After you have completed the two activities above, write a short reflection on what you have learned about your own beliefs about God, the concept of God, logical consistency within belief systems and any other things you have learned from the activities.
Free Will and Determinism
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Metaphysics Film Review
Due date:
Please hand in all of your text into turnitin.com
Please hand in all of your text into turnitin.com