Degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Bachelor in Philosophy, Politics and Economics

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Metaphysics

Description
In this course, the role of Metaphysics understood as Philosophy is analyzed. First, in relation to other human knowledge. To achieve this objective, the different stages of the History of Metaphysics are studied, highlighting the fundamental problems that have arisen within it. Finally, the meaning of metaphysical reflection is recovered in dialogue with the present, glimpsing the radicality and responsibility inherent to philosophical practice.
Type Subject
Optativa
Semester
First
Credits
6.00
Previous Knowledge
Objectives

In this course, students will engage with the responses that Western culture has given over time to the problems posed by the theory of truth and the theory of reality in human life. Without an adequate theory of truth about reality, political theory is reduced to utilitarian pragmatism: a crisis in the necessary relationship that political life must maintain with ethical life. This is the aim of what is called first philosophy (classically, Metaphysics): to offer an adequate foundation for establishing a theory of truth about reality that makes ethical life in politics possible. The study of the course, by reviewing the proposals of the great thinkers of Western philosophy, will enable the student to think about the appropriate relationship between Truth (philosophy), Good (ethics), and Common Life (politics) in order to confront the temptations of relativism/skepticism/nihilism present in our culture, with the goal of opening paths toward greater justice, peace, and social collaboration (intersubjective dialogue in search of the common good).

Contents

UNIT 1: Introduction to Metaphysics. The three modes of searching for truth in Western philosophy. The crisis of traditional metaphysics and contemporary attempts to (re)think metaphysics.
1.1 The three elements of the search for meaning: God, man, world.
1.2 Their relationship in the history of the West:
? Cosmological paradigm
? Theological paradigm
? Anthropological paradigm
1.3 The crisis of traditional metaphysics and contemporary proposals: towards a new way of relation.
UNIT 2: Cosmological foundation of truth.
2.1 The pre-Socratic proposal.
2.2 The sophistic crisis.
2.3 Theory of truth/ethics/politics in Socrates/Plato.
2.4 Theory of truth/ethics/politics in Aristotle.
UNIT 3: Theological foundation of truth.
3.1 Patristic period. Theory of truth/ethics/politics in St. Augustine.
3.2 Early scholasticism. St. Anselm and the ontological argument.
3.3 Theory of truth/ethics/politics in St. Thomas Aquinas.
3.4 Theory of truth/ethics/politics in Duns Scotus.
UNIT 4: Anthropological foundation of truth.
4.1 Modern metaphysical systems: rationalism and empiricism.
4.2 Theory of truth/ethics/politics in Kant.
4.3 Truth and historical becoming. Hegel and the Hegelian left (Feuerbach and Marx). Implications for the theory of truth/ethics/politics.
UNIT 5: Truth/ethics/politics in contemporary culture.
5.1 The phenomenological perspective.
5.2 Intersubjective dialogue.

Methodology

The methodology used in the in-person modality is specified through the following strategies:
? Expository method: Presentation of theoretical content through in-person classes and documentation on the platform.
? Text and document analysis: Personal reading of materials that cover the main content of the course. Individual and/or group preparation, followed by group discussions in classroom sessions.
? Oral presentation method: Presentations and exhibitions by students.
? Written presentation method: Development of comments, analyses, and arguments on various texts or general topics in the form of written compositions or dissertations to be submitted by the students.

Evaluation

Ordinary call: In order to be evaluated in the ordinary call, all the activities subject to evaluation must be completed. The evaluable activities must be submitted on the dates indicated by the professor. If, for a valid, justified, and communicated reason to the professor, the activities cannot be submitted within the established period, they may be submitted before the exam date so that the professor can grade them. However, in this case, the professor is not obligated to provide feedback on these activities. On the other hand, the student has the right to take the final written exam even if he has not submitted all the other evaluable activities, but the final grade for the course will only be calculated if all the activities have been submitted, according to the evaluation criteria and the weighting established in this course guide. If any evaluable activity is not submitted or completed, it will be recorded as "Not presented" in the call.
Extraordinary call: The evaluation criteria are the same as those in the ordinary call, so all the evaluative activities considered in the course must be completed. The grades of the activities already completed (including the final written exam) will be retained, pending completion of the remaining activities. In this evaluation, the same weighting criteria as in the ordinary evaluation will apply. This measure will only be applicable in the current academic year, so if the student does not pass the extraordinary call, re-enrollment will require repeating the entire course.

Evaluation Criteria

Final written exam: 35%.
Written assignments: 35%.
Individual presentations: 20%.
Participation and attendance: 10%.

Basic Bibliography

GILSON, É.: El ser y los filósofos, Eunsa, Pamplona, 2005.
GRONDIN, J.: Introducción a la metafísica, Herder, Barcelona, 2006.
HEIDEGGER, M:
- Los problemas fundamentales de la fenomenología, Trotta, Madrid, 2000.
- ¿Qué es metafísica? Alianza Editorial, Madrid, 2003
HEIMSOETHM H.: Los seis grandes temas de la metafísica occidental, Revista de
Occidente, Madrid, 1974.
ORTEGA Y GASSET, J.:
- Unas lecciones de Metafísica, Revista de Occidente, Madrid, 1974.
- El tema de nuestro tiempo, Revista de Occidente, Madrid, 1966
ZUBIRI, X.:
- Naturaleza, historia y Dios, Alianza, Madrid, 1994
- Los problemas fundamentales de la metafísica occidental, Alianza, Madrid, 2003.

Additional Material

Each block of thematic notes will be accompanied by the corresponding bibliography.