Exploring Metaphysics
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Exploring Metaphysics
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Narrated by:
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David K. Johnson
About this listen
This mind-bending tour of metaphysics applies philosophy to the forefront of today's knowledge. Over the course of 24 fascinating lectures, Professor Johnson thinks through the big questions about humans and the universe: The relationship between the mind and the brain, how consciousness emerges from neurochemical processes, the existence of God, human free will, the possibility of time travel, and whether we live in a multiverse or even a computer simulation.
Drawing from the realms of psychology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and philosophy, the first half of the course examines the defining traits of being human. You'll explore the connection between brains and minds, as well as the nature of the self, time, and human free will.
The second half of the course shifts from the nature of the individual to the nature of the universe. Here metaphysics, science, and theology all intersect as you consider the existence of God, the science behind relativity, and the bizarre-even spooky-world of quantum mechanics.
Although the subject has ancient roots, the metaphysics you study in this course is far from an esoteric system of thought. Indeed, this material is very much alive today-at the forefront of philosophy, physics, and medical technology. When you complete this course, you will have a much richer perspective on the world around you. Virtually every lecture will challenge some of your bedrock beliefs about yourself and the universe.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
©2013 The Great Courses (P)2013 The Teaching Company, LLCListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about Exploring Metaphysics
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- adam
- 28-07-22
A complete mind-hump.
A challenge in places but that is the point, it will put you out of your comfort zone. Having said this it was a good experience filled with lots of little gems. Like mental yoga, it's not that comfortable at the time, but you'll feel all the better for it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Felix
- 28-06-14
Good
What did you like about this audiobook?
Covers the landscape of metaphysics well, perfectly fine as an introduction to the subject. I liked the readers style found him to be humorous and a good communicator of the concepts. ( some reviewers didn't like his voice - to fussy in my opinion, didn't bother me one iota) Enjoyed it and if you are interested in learning about the ultimate nature of reality this is a good place to start.
How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?
yes
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Painter
- 25-04-24
Enjoyably mind boggling
I thoroughly enjoyed this and need to listen to it several times, as it's mind-blowing complex stuff, that I can just about grasp; I love science, it fascinates me.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Pip
- 26-10-18
Truly interesting and useful series of lectures
I’m a post grad philosophy student and I found these lectures stimulating and useful. It’s a very science heavy approach, which is fine. It focuses quite heavily in the early lectures on philosophy of mind, personal identity etc. and in latter lectures on an exploration of the metaphysical implications of our currently best scientific theories which inform our knowledge of the physical world, diving into god as the filling in the sandwich. Very well presented by an enthusiastic and entertaining lecturer. He’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea (I like him - and I really want to try sweet potato fries from Johnny Rockets, whatever that is) Seriously, if you are doing a general philosophy course at undergrad or even post grad level, you will likely find this useful (obviously depending on your specialism, I mean check out the chapters and if you consider yourself an expert on it all, firstly, well done, and secondly ok, maybe not for you. But I consider it unlikely that you won’t find something of interest) and I still think it’s very accessible for the casual listener, as good philosophy should be. The reading list and notes, as always in a Great Courses programme are all you could ask for. Seriously, if you are interested in metaphysics, or even if you are studying metaphysics and could do with a bit of breadth along the lines I’ve described, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
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11 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Bruce Marsh
- 17-06-14
five out of ten
Was Exploring Metaphysics worth the listening time?
There are some great thought provoking ideas in this book. Whilst some of the material is too hypothetical and ungrounded, other elements cause you to really think about the world differently. Metaphysics is the study beyond every day physics and the lecture explores the ideas of (for example) whether the mind exists, time and space. I'd recommend this book if you fancy a look at the world from another dimension.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Michael Turner
- 22-05-22
Bravo! Complicated subject simplified
A really enjoyable and though provoking listen. A step-by-step guide that takes you from the everyday to the mind blowing - are we living in a computer?
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Louis Parker
- 26-09-24
Most comprehensive and understandable guide to metaphysics ive heard thus far
Most comprehensive and understandable guide to metaphysics ive heard thus far. Would definitely recommend giving it a listen
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs. Lynne Jarman
- 25-09-16
Have patience
Where does Exploring Metaphysics rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
Good but like others I found Johnson's voice a tad irriating
Who was your favorite character and why?
NA
What didn’t you like about Professor David K. Johnson’s performance?
Irritating manner.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
NA
Any additional comments?
One thing that helped was slow the speed down to 90. Also listen to an chapter and then read the course material.
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- craigy
- 20-05-18
I think the narrator has passion
The narration is spoken with an obvious passion for philosophy and is way better than the monotonous monotone of some narrators.
The content is substantial, a good introduction to the complex field of philosophy that is metaphysics
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Robert Clay Glastad
- 11-03-22
A brilliant course
What is real, and how can we, if at all, tell? What does science tell us about reality, and what are we to make of that?
The course asks fundamental questions and gives a variety of tentative answers for each, leaving it up to you to pick and choose, but not without letting you know that you are wrong no matter what you chose.
A truly great course indeed!
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