METAPHYSICS

Dr. Lee Spring, 2006
Office hrs: MWF 2-2:50; TR 2-3 E-mail: plee@franciscan.edu
Phone: 283-6245 x 2361 Webpage: http://www2.franciscan.edu/plee

 

OBJECTIVES: To understand the basic questions, opposing theories (world-views), and methods in metaphysics, and to grasp in some detail the metaphysics of theism, especially as exemplified in St. Thomas.

Jan

16 Introduction
     
  18 Sartrian Existentialism

Clarke, pp. 1-8; Internet Reading #1 (on webpage)

     
  20 Sartre
     
  25 Historicism and Relativism
    Clarke, Ch. 2
  27 Hegel
    Internet Reading #2 (on webpage)
  30 Hegel
     
Feb 1 Marx

Internet Reading #3 (on webpage)

     
  3 Marx
     
  8 Marx
     
  10 Naturalism

Internet Reading #4 (on webpage)

     
  13 Naturalism

Clarke, pp. 8-14; Ch. 15

     
  15 Plato
     
  18 Plato
     
  20 EXAM 1
     
  22 Aristotle: Substance and Accident

Clarke, Chs. 4, 7

     
  24 Aristotle: Matter and Form

Clarke, Chs. 8

     
  27 Aristotle

Clarke, Ch. 9

     
Mar 1 Contingency Argument

Internet Reading #5

     
  3 Contingency Argument
     
  6 Contingency Argument
     
  8 Argument from Design
     
  10 Argument from Design

Clarke, Chs. 13-14

     
  20 What God is Not

ST, I, q. 3, aa. 1-4; Internet Reading #6

     
  22 What God is Not
     
  24 Essence and Existence
    Clarke, Ch. 5
  27 God’s Perfection
    Clark, Ch. 10
  29 Analogy

Clarke, Ch. 3; ST, I, q. 13, aa. 1-4

     
  31 Analogy

Clarke, Ch. 3;

     
Apr 3 Analogy
     
  5 God’s Knowledge

ST, I, q. 14, aa. 2, 4, 5, 13

     
  7 EXAM II
     
  10 God’s Will
    ST, I, q. 19, aa. 1-4
  12 Goodness of Creation

Clarke, Ch. 16; ST, I, qq. 5-6

     
  19 Goodness of Creation

Internet Reading #7

     
  21 Goodness of Creation
     
  24 Good and Evil

ST, I, q. 48, aa. 1-3; q. 49, aa. 1-2

     
  26 Good and Evil
    Clarke, Ch. 17
  28 Good and Evil
     
May 1 Secondary Causality

Clarke, Ch. 12

     
  3 Divine Providence and Miracles

ST, I, q. 22, aa. 1-3

     
    Divine Providence and Miracles (Philosophically Considered)

Clarke, Ch. 19

     
    Conclusion
     
     

 

READING ASSIGNMENTS: These are listed under the topic on the right hand side. The readings must be done before the class in which they are discussed. Longer readings will need to be reviewed after the discussion or lecture, while shorter readings (for example, those from St. Thomas) must be re-read after the discussion or lecture.

QUIZZES: There will be several short quizzes. These will be announced ahead of time in class. These will have an impact on your participation grade.

PAPER: Approximately 6-10 pp. long. Suggested topics will be distributed; further instructions on its method will be given in class. An outline of the paper is due March 27. The paper is due April 21.

OTHER WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: At times I may ask you to write one or two paragraphs on the reading assignment as preparation for the discussion and lecture in class.

EXAMS: There will be three exams. Each exam will be cumulative. There will be no make-ups for exams. If you miss an exam, then the other two will count proportionately more for your grade.

GRADES: The grade will be calculated as follows: About 22.5% for each exam, 22.5% for the paper, and 10% for participation. (The participation grade will be based on your attendance, quizzes, and homework, and my judgment on whether you understand the material.)