Syllabus

 Course: Philosophy 381-01: Metaphysics in Science Fiction
 Time: Fall 2023, TR, 1:30-2:45.
 Location: Humanities 109
 Instructor: Geoff Goddu x8733 or 804 543-5676 (absolutely no later than 10 pm!).
 Office Hours: T 11:00-1:00;W: 12:00-2:00; R 10:00 - 12:00; by appointment. Humanities 401
   
 Texts: Richard Hanley, Is Data Human? The Metaphysics of Star Trek (IDH)


Description: This course is a selective survey of current metaphysics via numerous contemporary works of philosophy and science fiction. Questions to be addressed may include--What is a person? Are you the same person as the person you were yesterday? Can you exist in two, or more place at once? What is an object? What is causation? What is time? Do objects endure through time? Is time travel possible? Could you prevent yourself from ever existing?

Requirements: Questions 5%
  5 Short Papers 35%
  Term Paper 30%
  Final Exam 30%
  Extra Credit  

Honor Code: Satisfaction of all the requirements must be by your own individual and independent work. All your work must be pledged.

Attendance: Every unexcused absence will result in a deduction of 1% from the total grade achieved satisfying the class requirements. You are responsible for all assigned material.

Grading Scale: A+ 97.5-100 A 92.5-97.49 A- 89.5-92.49
  B+ 87.5-89.49 B 82.5-87.49 B- 79.5-82.49
  C+ 77.5-79.49 C 72.5-77.49 C- 69.5-72.49
  D+ 67.5-69.49 D 62.5-67.49 D- 59.5-62.49
      F 0-59.49    

Provisional Schedule: [All readings and assignments are due at the beginning of class!]

6
 Day  Date  Topic Readings and Assignments Due
1 T 8/29  Introduction  
    I. Time Travel  
2 R 8/31 Metaphysics and Time Travel / Filer
3 T 9/5 Is Time Travel Possible? Horwich / , SP #1
4 R 9/7 Is Time Travel Possible? Grey / Porges
5 T 9/12 Backwards Causation Dummett and Flew / Aldiss
6 R 9/14 Causal Loops IDH 198-234 / Heinlein
7 T 9/19 Causal Loops LePoidevin / Miller
8 R 9/21 Coincidences Gorovitz / Brown, SP #2
9 T 9/26 Coincidences Horwich / Leiber
10 R 9/28 Freedom Lewis / Binder
11 T 10/3 Freedom Vihvelin / Silverberg
12 R 10/5 Changing the Past Meiland / Bester
13 T 10/10 Changing the Past Goddu / Busby
14 R 10/12 Changing the Past Vranas/ Brown, SP #3
    Fall Break  
15 R 10/19 Changing the Past Effingham
16 T 10/24 Identity IDH 210-218, Ehring / Hudec
    II. Personal Identity  
17 R 10/26 Surviving Change? Chisholm
18 T 10/31 Endurance/Perdurance Wasserman; Hofweber & Velleman
19 R 11/2 Body Switching Williams / Dick; Staying Alive
20 T 11/7 Psychological Continuity Nozick, SP #4
21 R 11/9 Teletransportation IDH 121-162 / Swanwick
22 T 11/14 Teletransportation Goddu / Kelly
23 R 11/16 Identity vs. Survival Parfit
24 T 11/21 Identity vs. Survival

Lewis, SP#5
    Thanksgiving Break
25 T 11/28 Identity vs. Survival Sider
26 R 11/30 Fission Rejuvination Martin
27 T 12/5 Fission--Fusion IDH 164-184
28 R 12/7 Fission--Fusion IDH 164-184, Term Paper

Final Exam

Due Thursday, Dec 14, 2pm

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