Advanced Topics
- Formal and Methodological Metaphysics
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Formal and Methodological Metaphysics
Choose this track if you want to get comfortable with more technical and precise ways of doing metaphysics (especially useful if you are interested in contemporary analytic philosophy or plan to read recent journal articles). -
Optional Specialization Areas
These are focused topic clusters. Pick one (or more) according to your personal interest: -
Unit 12 — Death, Identity, and Value: Choose if questions about personal survival, the meaning of life, or what happens after death strongly appeal to you.
- Unit 13 — Metaphysics and Science: Choose if you are drawn to the intersection between philosophy and modern physics, biology, or general scientific theories.
You do not need to study both tracks in section V, and you do not need to study section IV at all unless you want a more formal/technical direction.
Formal and Methodological Metaphysics
| Subject | Why study? | Book/Text | Online Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10. Metaphysical Explanation and Method: Grounding, explanation, realism vs anti-realism, metaphysical methodology. | SEP – Metaphysical Explanation; Grounding; Naturalism in Metaphysics | ||
| 11. Advanced Modal and Formal Tools: Modal proof systems, necessity in metaphysics, logic–ontology interface. | (optional) Modal Logic for Philosophers – James Garson | MIT OCW – Modal Logic (continued) |
Optional Specialization Areas
| Subject | Why study? | Book/Text | Online Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12. Death, Identity, and Value | Focus on: Personal identity over time, survival, immortality. | Yale OYC – Death | |
| 13. Metaphysics and Science | Focus on: Laws of nature, reduction, emergence, scientific realism. | SEP – Laws of Nature; Reductionism; Scientific Realism |