This is an archived course. A more recent version may be available at ocw.mit.edu.

Lecture Notes

LEC # TOPICS
1 What and why is a metaphysician? (PDF)
2 Things and Properties (PDF)
3 Properties = Universals (PDF)
4 Properties = (Special) Particulars (PDF)
5 Properties at Work (PDF)
6 Non-existence (PDF)
7 Existence (PDF)
8 As-if Existence (PDF)
9 Identity of Indiscernibles (PDF)
10 Contingent Identity (PDF)
11 Transworld Identity (PDF)
12 Necessary and Contingent (PDF)
13 De Re Modality
14 Essence and Accident (PDF)
15 Possible Worlds (PDF)
16 Causation as Regularity (PDF)
17 Causation as Dependence (PDF)
18 Causal Networks (PDF)
19 Holding Fixed
20 Sufficient Reason (PDF)
21 De Facto Dependence (PDF)
22 Pains and Brains (PDF)
23 Multiple Realization (PDF)
24 Special Sciences
25 Last Class and Course Summary