Reality Bites: Introduction to metaphysics from Coursera

Speculative metaphysics is challenging, but this course will whet your appetite for it, because it explains fundamental metaphysical problems and views in terms of what you can find in your kitchen and what happens in it when you cook and enjoy food. Here are the 8 bites on the menu.

- The first module 1 explains that metaphysics is about the ingredients and recipes of the world, i.e., which kinds of entities exist and how they relate to one another.

- Modules 2 and 3 invite you to reflect on whether the properties of ingredients -such as their shape and weight- are separate from and if so, how they come together in the ingredients.

- Modules 4 to 7 are about cooking: its most important ingredient is time and most cooking consists in causing changes to the ingredients over time. Yet some ingredients persist: although they undergo changes, they remain the same. Moreover, cooking minimally involves putting two or more ingredients together, so that they compose a whole. Hence modules 4 to 7 deal with time, causation, persistence and composition respectively.

- Finally, the last module touch on the smells, tastes and other qualitative aspects of our experiences when enjoying food.

Bon appétit!

What's inside

Syllabus

Metaphysics

The introductory module explains what this thing called metaphysics is and what's it all about, namely: metaphysics is about all and everything. Furthermore, week 1 introduces ontology as the core of metaphysics, and explains its most fundamental methodological principles, like parsimony, and methodological tools, like Quine's method to determine one's ontological commitments.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Takes a creative approach to metaphysics, explaining fundamental problems and views in terms of food and cooking

Explores metaphysics and related topics in a novel and engaging way, making it accessible to a wide range of learners

Offers a comprehensive overview of metaphysics, covering key concepts, problems, and views

Taught by an experienced instructor who is recognized for their work in metaphysics

Suitable for learners with varying levels of prior knowledge in metaphysics

Reviews summary

Accessible metaphysics via food analogy

According to learners, "Reality Bites: Introduction to Metaphysics" offers a highly accessible and engaging entry point into a notoriously complex subject. Many find the course's central conceit, using kitchen and food analogies, to be a brilliant and effective method for understanding fundamental metaphysical problems like universals, time, and composition. Students frequently highlight the instructor's clear explanations and the logical structure of the lectures. While some learners mention the analogies can occasionally be somewhat simplistic or distracting for those seeking deeper philosophical rigor, the consensus is that the course provides a solid foundation and exceeds expectations for an introductory offering. Recent reviews indicate the course has seen improvements, with additional resources enhancing the learning experience.

Offers a solid foundation, though potentially too basic for some.

"For someone with some prior philosophy, it might feel a bit slow or simplify things a bit too much."

"While the course attempted to make metaphysics accessible, I found myself getting bogged down in the analogies at times, preferring more direct explanation."

"It's a great starting point, but don't expect a deep dive into every nuanced debate."

Recent reviews note significant updates and enhancements.

"The improvements made since last year are noticeable! The instructor added supplemental material and clarified some points."

"The course flows much better now, truly an accessible and enjoyable journey."

"It's great to see the course evolve based on feedback, addressing previous requests for more depth."

Well-structured modules keep learners engaged.

"The lectures were engaging, and the way they tied in everyday experiences made it so much easier."

"The structure is logical and builds concepts step by step."

"Pacing was just right for me, covering complex topics without feeling rushed."

Instructor provides crystal clear explanations for beginners.

"The instructor's explanations were crystal clear, and I finally feel like I have a grasp on metaphysics."

"The professor's enthusiasm for the subject really shines through the lectures, making them easy to follow."

"Totally exceeded my expectations for an intro course; I could keep up and gain genuine insight."

Unique analogy makes complex metaphysical ideas digestible.

"The food analogy made incredibly complex ideas like universals and composition surprisingly digestible."

"I never thought I'd understand metaphysics, but this course changed that, largely thanks to the clever way they tied in everyday experiences."

"The unique approach using kitchen concepts was mostly helpful and truly made difficult topics accessible."

While mostly positive, some found the food analogy distracting.

"I found the food analogy distracting rather than helpful. It felt forced at times."

"Not for everyone; I prefer a more traditional approach to philosophy without constant metaphorical comparisons."

"Sometimes I found myself wanting a more direct philosophical explanation alongside it."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Reality Bites: Introduction to metaphysics with these activities:

Compile learning resources

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Reviewing your syllabus, course notes, and past coursework will help you become familiar with the topics that will be covered in more depth throughout the course.

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Collect all relevant materials
Review course syllabus
Review previous course materials
Organize your materials

Metaphysics in the kitchen

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Watching videos and reading articles about how the principles of metaphysics relate to cooking will help you to better understand and appreciate the topics that are covered in class.

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Review provided videos and articles
Take notes on how metaphysical principles are applied to cooking
Discuss your findings with your classmates

Recipe analysis project

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Cooking and analyzing recipes will help you to better understand the fundamental metaphysical problems and views that are covered in a more abstract way in class.

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Find recipes that represent different levels of complexity
Break down a recipe into its individual steps
Identify the ingredients, their properties, and how they relate to one another
Analyze the changes that occur during the cooking process
Present your findings to your class

Three other activities

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Metaphysics discussion group

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Talking through the topics that are covered in the course with your classmates will help you to reinforce your understanding and identify areas where you need additional support.

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Form a group with classmates
Meet regularly to discuss course topics
Work together to solve problems
Help each other to prepare for assessments

Reading the 'Metaphysics' by Aristotle

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Reading Aristotle's Metaphysics will provide you with a deeper understanding of the history of metaphysics and the foundational concepts that are still debated today.

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Read and annotate the text
Summarize the main arguments
Discuss your findings with your classmates
Write a paper on a specific topic

Metaphysical recipe

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Creating a recipe that illustrates a metaphysical concept will help you to demonstrate your understanding of the topic and communicate it to others.

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Choose a metaphysical concept to illustrate
Design a recipe that embodies the concept
Write a description of the recipe that explains the connection between the recipe and the concept

Career center

Learners who complete Reality Bites: Introduction to metaphysics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Metaphysics Professor

A Metaphysics Professor's primary responsibility is to teach metaphysics. Therefore, Reality Bites: Introduction to Metaphysics is an excellent way to prepare for this role. This course may help you build a foundation in metaphysics.

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Philosopher

A Philosopher's work can include teaching, research, and writing about philosophical topics, including metaphysics. Reality Bites: Introduction to Metaphysics may help you strengthen the foundation for your metaphysical research or teachings.

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Theology Professor

Theology Professors teach and research topics of theology and religion. Since metaphysics often deals with the nature of God, this course may be helpful in building a foundation for theological work.

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Epistemologist

Epistemologists study the nature of knowledge and belief. Some of the topics addressed in metaphysics, such as the nature of reality and time, are relevant to epistemology. Reality Bites: Introduction to Metaphysics may therefore be useful to those interested in a career as an Epistemologist.

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Ontologist

Ontologists study the nature of being. Since metaphysics is the study of the fundamental nature of reality, this course would be useful for someone interested in pursuing a career in Ontology.

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Logician

Logicians study logic, the science of reasoning and argument. Logic is essential for studying metaphysics, as it allows one to analyze and evaluate arguments about the nature of reality. Reality Bites: Introduction to Metaphysics may be useful for those interested in a career in Logic.

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Scientist

Scientists study the natural world. Metaphysics may be useful for scientists who are interested in the foundations of science, such as the nature of time and causality.

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Mathematician

Mathematicians study the properties and relationships of numbers and other abstract objects. Metaphysics may be useful for mathematicians who are interested in the foundations of mathematics, such as the nature of numbers and sets.

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Computer Scientist

Computer Scientists study the theory, design, and implementation of computer systems. Metaphysics may be useful for computer scientists who are interested in the foundations of computer science, such as the nature of information and computation.

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Economist

Economists study the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. Metaphysics may be useful for economists who are interested in the foundations of economics, such as the nature of value and property.

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Sociologist

Sociologists study human society and social behavior. Metaphysics may be useful for sociologists who are interested in the foundations of sociology, such as the nature of social reality and social institutions.

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Political Scientist

Political Scientists study politics and government. Metaphysics may be useful for political scientists who are interested in the foundations of political science, such as the nature of political power and authority.

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Historian

Historians study the past. Metaphysics may be useful for historians who are interested in the foundations of history, such as the nature of time and historical causality.

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Anthropologist

Anthropologists study human beings and their cultures. Metaphysics may be useful for anthropologists who are interested in the foundations of anthropology, such as the nature of human nature and culture.

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Archaeologist

Archaeologists study the human past through the excavation and analysis of material remains. Metaphysics may be useful for archaeologists who are interested in the foundations of archaeology, such as the nature of time and historical causality.

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