Study Guide 7
Study Guide: Lesson 7
Introducing Metaphysics
Lesson Overview
Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that deals with questions of reality. Since it deals with literally everything that exists, it is perhaps the broadest branch of philosophy. However, we will briefly spend time in this area. In this lesson, we will introduce some of the questions that we seek to answer in metaphysics as well as some basic metaphysical terminology you will need to master as we discuss metaphysical issues. We will also discuss the issue of method in arriving at answers to our metaphysical questions.
Tasks
Review and take notes of the presentation, “Metaphysical Terminology.”
* Know the 4 characteristics of properties. AKA as qualities. Properties are an attribute a thing possesses. Characteristics that describe. 1) Properties are universals-can be in more than one thing at a time. 2) Are immutable or eternal-they don’t change over time. 3) Properties inhere in things-they are “had” by or are “in” things. 4) Properties do not have causal powers-they cannot cause any thing or event to occur. * Know the 4 characteristics of substances. Substances-that which has its being in itself and not in another, such as a particular thing. 1) Are particular things- they can only be in one place at a time. 2) Can change, and aren’t necessarily eternal. 3) Are “fundamental existants”- they have being in themselves; they don’t inhere in other things. 4) Have causal powers-they can cause things or events to occur. * Know the different kinds of properties and substances. Accidental properties-properties which a particular thing may or may not possess; they aren’t essential to what the thing is. Essential properties-properties which a particular thing must possess; they are necessary to what the thing is. Material substances-made out of matter (natural and artifacts-made by man). Immaterial substances-not made from matter (God, angels, mind). * Know the difference
Introducing Metaphysics
Lesson Overview
Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that deals with questions of reality. Since it deals with literally everything that exists, it is perhaps the broadest branch of philosophy. However, we will briefly spend time in this area. In this lesson, we will introduce some of the questions that we seek to answer in metaphysics as well as some basic metaphysical terminology you will need to master as we discuss metaphysical issues. We will also discuss the issue of method in arriving at answers to our metaphysical questions.
Tasks
Review and take notes of the presentation, “Metaphysical Terminology.”
* Know the 4 characteristics of properties. AKA as qualities. Properties are an attribute a thing possesses. Characteristics that describe. 1) Properties are universals-can be in more than one thing at a time. 2) Are immutable or eternal-they don’t change over time. 3) Properties inhere in things-they are “had” by or are “in” things. 4) Properties do not have causal powers-they cannot cause any thing or event to occur. * Know the 4 characteristics of substances. Substances-that which has its being in itself and not in another, such as a particular thing. 1) Are particular things- they can only be in one place at a time. 2) Can change, and aren’t necessarily eternal. 3) Are “fundamental existants”- they have being in themselves; they don’t inhere in other things. 4) Have causal powers-they can cause things or events to occur. * Know the different kinds of properties and substances. Accidental properties-properties which a particular thing may or may not possess; they aren’t essential to what the thing is. Essential properties-properties which a particular thing must possess; they are necessary to what the thing is. Material substances-made out of matter (natural and artifacts-made by man). Immaterial substances-not made from matter (God, angels, mind). * Know the difference