A common way of thinking of the world is that it consists of objects with properties that persist through time while changing in different ways. Yet there are deep puzzles about each of these basic, seemingly indispensable concepts. What does it take to be an object? How much can an object change without becoming a different object? Are some of an object's properties essential to it? Metaphysics is the business of proposing and debating answers to these questions and related questions. This course introduces students to these debates.
A common way of thinking of the world is that it consists of objects with properties that persist through time while changing in different ways. Yet there are deep puzzles about each of these basic, seemingly indispensable concepts. What does it take to be an object? How much can an object change without becoming a different object? Are some of an object's properties essential to it? Metaphysics is the business of proposing and debating answers to these questions and related questions. This course introduces students to these debates.
