Introduction to Metaphysics
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims at introducing students to the area of metaphysics, as it is understood in contemporary philosophy. Among the topics that may be addressed: free will, the nature of normativity, the existence of God, the mind-body problem, personal identity.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding:
- Knowledge and understanding of some of the main problems in metaphysics, as well as of the solutions put forward in the literature.
- Knowledge and understanding of background theories and conceptual apparatus.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
- Ability to critically evaluate the theoretical options in question.
- Ability to apply the tools introduced to other problems, both within philosophy and outside of philosophy.
- Knowledge and understanding of some of the main problems in metaphysics, as well as of the solutions put forward in the literature.
- Knowledge and understanding of background theories and conceptual apparatus.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
- Ability to critically evaluate the theoretical options in question.
- Ability to apply the tools introduced to other problems, both within philosophy and outside of philosophy.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
In the "Continuation des pensées diverses sur la comète", Bayle, while commenting on the notion of atheism, relates it to three theses: (1) that no human effort can alter, even minimally, the predetermined course of events; (2) that none of the things that happen can ultimately be considered either good or bad; and (3) that the ultimate cause of things has no preference for any of its offspring, does not concern itself with punishing immorality, and does not care to reward virtue. In this course, we will discuss all three theses, focusing on recent literature and the contributions of the sciences in evaluating them—paying particular attention to ideas, hypotheses, and results from game theory, evolutionary theory, and probability theory.
In the first part of the course (40 hours, 6 CFU), we will first reflect on what various scientific disciplines can tell us about the existence and nature of free will, before moving on to examine the so-called "evolutionary debunking" of normative realism. In the second part (20 hours, 3 additional CFU), we will focus on various versions of the intelligent design argument for the existence of God (also known as the "teleological argument," "physico-theological argument," or "a posteriori argument").
Non-attending students will have access to recorded lectures and slides.
In the first part of the course (40 hours, 6 CFU), we will first reflect on what various scientific disciplines can tell us about the existence and nature of free will, before moving on to examine the so-called "evolutionary debunking" of normative realism. In the second part (20 hours, 3 additional CFU), we will focus on various versions of the intelligent design argument for the existence of God (also known as the "teleological argument," "physico-theological argument," or "a posteriori argument").
Non-attending students will have access to recorded lectures and slides.
Prerequisites for admission
No specific prior knowledge is required.
Teaching methods
Lectures conducted in a dialogic format.
Teaching Resources
First part of the course (40 hours, 6 ECTS credits):
1a. Christian List, Why Free Will Is Real (readily available in any bookstore).
1b. Andrea Guardo, L'evoluzione della morale per selezione naturale (readily available in any bookstore), chapters 1-4, 6-9, and 11.
1c. The content of the lectures for the first part of the course (audio on myAriel, slides on the instructor's website, at the address https://sites.google.com/view/andreaguardo/insegnamento).
Second part of the course (20 hours, additional 3 ECTS credits):
2a. The content of the lectures for the second part of the course (audio on myAriel, slides on the instructor's website).
2b. There are no mandatory readings for the second part of the course. However, it is strongly recommended to read Elliott Sober's "The Design Argument" (on myAriel), skipping §§ 2.2, 2.5, 2.9, 3.1-3.2, 4.3, 4.5, 4.7, 4.11-4.12, and the entire § 5; also skip the second paragraph on p. 13, from "The quantity Pr(E) on the right-hand side of Bayes's theorem deserves a comment" to the end of § 2.4.
For Non-attending Students:
There are no supplementary readings for non-attending students, who are simply required to listen to the recordings of the lectures.
1a. Christian List, Why Free Will Is Real (readily available in any bookstore).
1b. Andrea Guardo, L'evoluzione della morale per selezione naturale (readily available in any bookstore), chapters 1-4, 6-9, and 11.
1c. The content of the lectures for the first part of the course (audio on myAriel, slides on the instructor's website, at the address https://sites.google.com/view/andreaguardo/insegnamento).
Second part of the course (20 hours, additional 3 ECTS credits):
2a. The content of the lectures for the second part of the course (audio on myAriel, slides on the instructor's website).
2b. There are no mandatory readings for the second part of the course. However, it is strongly recommended to read Elliott Sober's "The Design Argument" (on myAriel), skipping §§ 2.2, 2.5, 2.9, 3.1-3.2, 4.3, 4.5, 4.7, 4.11-4.12, and the entire § 5; also skip the second paragraph on p. 13, from "The quantity Pr(E) on the right-hand side of Bayes's theorem deserves a comment" to the end of § 2.4.
For Non-attending Students:
There are no supplementary readings for non-attending students, who are simply required to listen to the recordings of the lectures.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is oral and consists of three types of questions. The first type, which begins the exam, aims to assess the student's understanding of fundamental concepts, determining whether it is appropriate to proceed with the exam. The second type includes more advanced questions about what was explained in class. Finally, the third type of question aims to evaluate the student's study of the assigned texts, which they must bring with them to the exam.
Students with learning disabilities (DSA) and/or disabilities who wish to request changes to the exam format must agree on the details with the instructor and the relevant office as soon as possible, strictly following the procedures described at the following links (in the section Support for teaching and contact with professors—compensatory measures):
https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/servizi-studenti-con-dsa
https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/servizi-studenti-con-disabilita
An example of an acceptable conceptual map for the exam is available on the instructor's website.
Students who, for any reason, wish to take the exam earlier or later than their assigned slot must arrange to swap their turn with another student. It is unnecessary to notify the instructor in advance of the swap, as they will not provide assistance in the process.
The exam can be taken starting from the first session after the course ends and will be offered for a total of seven sessions.
Students with learning disabilities (DSA) and/or disabilities who wish to request changes to the exam format must agree on the details with the instructor and the relevant office as soon as possible, strictly following the procedures described at the following links (in the section Support for teaching and contact with professors—compensatory measures):
https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/servizi-studenti-con-dsa
https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/servizi-studenti-con-disabilita
An example of an acceptable conceptual map for the exam is available on the instructor's website.
Students who, for any reason, wish to take the exam earlier or later than their assigned slot must arrange to swap their turn with another student. It is unnecessary to notify the instructor in advance of the swap, as they will not provide assistance in the process.
The exam can be taken starting from the first session after the course ends and will be offered for a total of seven sessions.
M-FIL/01 - THEORETICAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Guardo Andrea
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)