METAPHYSICS

사물의 실체란 무엇이며, 실체와 현상의 관계는 어떠한가? 시간이란 무엇인가? 운명은 과연 있는가? 나는 얼마만큼 자유로운가? 자유와 필연은 공존할 수 있는가? 죽음이란 무엇인가? 신이란 무엇이며, 존재란 무엇인가? 본 강좌에서는 이러한 형이상학적 물음들을 규명함으로써 존재의 근거와 의미를 가장 근원적, 포괄적 차원에서 추구한다.

This course invites students to critically explore how every culture is grounded in a distinct worldview—one that rests on fundamental, often unspoken, assumptions about reality, the path to truth, and our ethical responsibilities. Through a historical and philosophical investigation, students will come to recognize these foundational metaphysical frameworks, from Ancient Greek philosophy to contemporary thought. By engaging with diverse metaphysical systems, students will be equipped to reflect on, articulate, and develop a critical and rational account of their own worldview, fostering deeper philosophical self-awareness and intellectual independence.

The class will be taught in English, but Korean summaries of each class content will be provided. Help with learning in English will be offered.

The students should have basic listening and reading skills in English. Help with translations and English will be offered.

This course helps students understand that every culture is shaped by a worldview—an underlying set of assumptions about what is real, how we come to know the truth, and what we owe to one another. By examining these metaphysical foundations from antiquity to the present, students will not only develop a critical and rational account of their own worldview but also gain deeper orientation in a complex and shifting world. This philosophical grounding is not purely theoretical: it empowers students to reflect more clearly on their lives, make more informed choices, and engage with the world in a way that is both thoughtful and ethically responsible—ultimately supporting the pursuit of a more meaningful and well-lived life.