Metaphysics or Philosophy of Being [2486]

General Information

• Credits: 6 ECTS
• Prerequisites: baccalaureate level or equivalent; proficiency in French
• Learning format: asynchronous distance learning – 100% e-learning
• Language of instruction: French
• Course access: available at any time of year
• Disability liaison officer: Cécile Boucherle

Course Overview

This course offers a systematic introduction to Metaphysics, or the Philosophy of Being, the branch of philosophy that studies being as being and investigates the ultimate causes and principles of reality. It examines the nature, scope, method, and historical development of metaphysical thought before exploring the concepts of being, substance, essence, existence, matter and form, act and potency, transcendental properties, causality, and personhood. The course concludes with an introduction to Indian metaphysics, providing students with a coherent understanding of reality through both traditional and selected contemporary metaphysical perspectives. 

Learning Outcomes

This course aims to:

• Understand the nature, scope, method, and importance of metaphysics as the philosophical study of being as being.
  
• Explain the principal metaphysical concepts, including being, substance, accidents, essence, existence, matter and form, act and potency, and causality.
  
• Trace the historical development of metaphysical thought from ancient Greek philosophy to contemporary approaches.
  
• Discover the ontological properties of being and the metaphysical understanding of the human person, while gaining an introductory knowledge of Indian metaphysics.

Course Competencies

This course is linked to the following competency:

• Investigate the nature of being and of the human person through metaphysics and philosophical anthropology

Course Outline

Section 1: The Notion of Metaphysics

Section 2: A Short History of Metaphysics

Section 3: The Notion of Being

Section 4: The Metaphysical Structure of Being

Section 5: Ontological Properties of Being 

Section 6: Causality

Section 7: Metaphysical Understanding of Person

Section 8: Indian Metaphysics (A brief Introduction)

Assessment Methods 

Course assessment is based on:

• tracking and completion of the course and of all learning activities. These activities, designed as essential practice and learning exercises, may be completed multiple times and are not factored into the final grade,
• the final assessment quiz, which constitutes the graded evaluation.

Learning Format

The course is taught entirely online via the MyDomuni platform, accessible 24/7.
Learning resources include:

• written course materials;
• supplementary documents and, depending on the content, video resources;
• interactive learning activities (quizzes, exercises);
• a discussion forum with the course instructor and fellow participants.

Prerequisites

This course is open to anyone with a general level of education equivalent to the baccalaureate, or with personal or academic experience related to the topics covered.

A good command of written French is recommended to facilitate understanding of the content and participation in the activities offered.

Accessibility

The course is accessible at any time, from any internet-connected device, via the MyDomuni platform.
For students with disabilities, specific support can be arranged upon request to ensure equitable access to course content and activities.

Disability liaison officer: cecile.boucherle@domuni.eu. 

Selective Bibliography

• Mortimer J. Adler, The Four Dimensions of Philosophy: Metaphysical, Moral, Objective, Categorical, Basingstoke, Macmillan Publishers, 1993.
• Reginald E. Allen, Greek Philosophy: Thales to Aristotle. Readings in the History of Philosophy, New York, The Free Press, 1996.
• Marius Backmann, Humean Libertarianism, Hightown, Walter de Gruyter, 2013.
• Soraya Susan Behbehani, The Messenger Within: Discovering Love and Wholeness Through Meditation, New York, Mellen Research University Press, 1991.
• Silvano Borruso, A History of Philosophy for Almost Everyone, Nairobi, Daughters of St Paul, 2007.