PHIL 847 Universal & Particulars in Analytic Metaphysics
This course is an in-depth look at the metaphysical issues surrounding universals and particulars. We will mostly (although not exclusively) be grappling with investigations of these topics carried out within analytic philosophy. Topics to be discussed will include: what the "problem of universals" is in the first place; various competing solutions; distinctions among kinds of universals; the difference between universals and particulars; the principle of individuation; the nature of particular substances. This course should be of special interest to students interested in metaphysics and to students who want to learn more about the way philosophy is carried out by the majority of English-speaking philosophers today.