This Master in Philosophy aims to provide a solid basic training in the main domains of analytic philosophy, and in the fundamentals of the history of Western philosophy (in dialogue with other non Western philosophical traditions). Through the teaching of these content, the programme aims to develop in the students an autonomous ability to analyze, evaluate and discuss philosophical arguments, and to produce their own.
Aligning with these objectives, the course proposed here aims to acquaint the student, at an advanced level, with some of the most debated problems in analytic metaphysics today, focussing on the ontology of causal powers and its philosophical 'applications'.
In examining these problems, the ways in which they have been analyzed, and the answers that have been offered, the lecturer will seek to engage students in open discussion, the goal of which is to strengthen students' analytical, critical, and argumentative skills, so as to support both the learning of philosophical content and the exercise of students' philosophical skills.
By the end of the course, the student will have become acquainted with the salient themes in the metaphysics of causal powers, and also with the historical roots of certain positions salient today. In doing so, the student will also become familiar with the argumentative styles used in metaphysical debates.
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Teaching will take place through face-to-face lectures, but with an emphasis on discussion and direct dialogue with students, who will be able, during lectures, to put forward their ideas for further study and debate.
A written paper of 2,500 words maximum is to submitted, as a means of evaluation. The exam will be deemed passed if the student will show in their written work: a) analytical and critical understanding; b) argumentative skills; c) originality and independence of thought.
In the last two decades or so, work on powers/dispositions/capacities/potencies/potentialities has grown significantly, with the current debate largely being framed by several influential books (Harré & Madden, 1975; Bhaskar,1978; Cartwright, 1989; Crane, 1996 Mumford, 1998; Ellis, 2001; Molnar, 2003; Heil, 2003; Bird, 2007; Martin, 2007; Vetter, 2015, Williams 2019). As a result, after many years of powers being considered ‘as shameful … as pregnant spinsters used to be, ideally to be explained away, or entitled by a shotgun wedding to take the name of some decently real categorical property’, (Mellor, 1974, 157) they now have a strong reputation, supported also by today’s science. Given this, much work has focused on providing a comprehensive metaphysics of powers and showing their wider application in philosophy. Given the vast and ever-expanding literature on power metaphysics the aim of this course will be to provide a brief and broad overview concerning the main areas of discussion and the major positions advocated, by way of asking questions and discussing critically answers that have been given.
Students who do not attend the lectures in person, are on Erasmus exchange or have certified learning disabilities (PDP/PEI) are advised to contact the teacher for indications about exam preparation.
