Metaphysics
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Course code
HIF6322.HT
old course code
Course title in Estonian
Metafüüsika
Course title in English
Metaphysics
ECTS credits
6.0
Assessment form
Examination
lecturer of 2023/2024 Spring semester
Margus Vihalem (language of instruction:Estonian)
lecturer of 2024/2025 Autumn semester
Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.
Course aims
To provide an overview of western metaphysics, main schools and thinkers.
To provide an overview of the main critics of metaphysics
To familiarize students with basic texts of western metaphysics.
To make a connexion between metaphysics (and its critics) and other domains of philosophy and eventually other humanities.
To develop critical thinking and to learn to recognize the traces of metaphysics in contemporary world.

Brief description of the course
The course provides an overview of the main developments of western metaphysics from ancient Greece to contemporary anti-metaphysical theories.
The course combines classwork and independent work. Classwork consists in lectures where the main theories and concepts of metaphysics are introduced, and of seminars where texts read at home are analyzed and discussed. Independent work consists in working through a certain amount of classics of metaphysics, and either presenting notes or answering some questions concerning these texts. Homework is to be uploaded in the Moodle environment and is the prerequisite for participating in the course


Learning outcomes in the course
Upon completing the course the student:
- has some knowledge of the main periods, schools, and authors of metaphysics;
- is able to analyze texts and assess their meaning and importance from metaphysical point of view;
- is able to see connections between the concepts and theories of metaphysics and other branches of philosophy, and eventually other humanities.
Teacher
Margus Vihalem
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