Metaphysics Curriculum

Humanities

A structured, level-by-level path through Metaphysics. Start with Foundations of Ontology and Core methods in Identity & change at the Intermediate level, then build toward advanced practice and expert-level mastery — with hands-on projects and quizzes at every stage.

3 levels 9 modules 27 topics 6 weeks · about 24 hours · 8 weeks · about 32 hours · 10 weeks · about 40 hours
Intermediate

Intermediate Metaphysics

6 weeks · about 24 hours

3 modules

Advanced

Advanced Metaphysics

8 weeks · about 32 hours

3 modules

Expert

Expert Metaphysics

10 weeks · about 40 hours

3 modules

Metaphysics Course Curriculum

9 modules across 3 levels.

Intermediate

Intermediate Metaphysics

Start with Ontology, Identity & change and Causation. Each module explains the idea, shows a worked example and ends with a short project, so Metaphysics becomes something you can do rather than something you have only read about.

6 weeks · about 24 hours 3 modules

Topics

Project

Write a one-page explanation of Ontology in your own words, with an example you chose yourself, and test it against the module checklist.

Learning Path

1

Foundations of Ontology

Work through the three topics in this module, complete the project, then answer the self-check questions before moving on.

2

Core methods in Identity & change

Work through the three topics in this module, complete the project, then answer the self-check questions before moving on.

Prerequisites: Foundations of Ontology

3

Applying Causation

Work through the three topics in this module, complete the project, then answer the self-check questions before moving on.

Prerequisites: Core methods in Identity & change

Practice Problems

EasyExplain Ontology to someone who has never studied the subject, using one worked example.
Solution: A strong answer defines ontology precisely, gives one concrete example, and names the limitation it runs into.
MediumExplain Identity & change to someone who has never studied the subject, using one worked example.
Solution: A strong answer defines identity & change precisely, gives one concrete example, and names the limitation it runs into.
HardExplain Causation to someone who has never studied the subject, using one worked example.
Solution: A strong answer defines causation precisely, gives one concrete example, and names the limitation it runs into.

Glossary

Ontology

A central idea in the intermediate Metaphysics path, covered in the module of the same name.

Example: apply Ontology to a small, familiar case step by step, then check your reasoning against the walkthrough.

Identity & change

A central idea in the intermediate Metaphysics path, covered in the module of the same name.

Example: apply Identity & change to a small, familiar case step by step, then check your reasoning against the walkthrough.

Causation

A central idea in the intermediate Metaphysics path, covered in the module of the same name.

Example: apply Causation to a small, familiar case step by step, then check your reasoning against the walkthrough.

About the Metaphysics curriculum

The Metaphysics curriculum is a complete, self-paced course in humanities, organised into 3 progressive levels and 9 modules. It opens with Foundations of Ontology and Core methods in Identity & change, moves through Applying Causation and finishes with expert-level work on Leading practice in Universals & particulars and Mastering Metaphysical method.

Across the whole path you work through 27 individual topics — from Ontology and Hands-on: ontology at the start to Putting metaphysical method to work and Checking your understanding of metaphysical method by the end. The levels are estimated at 6 weeks · about 24 hours, 8 weeks · about 32 hours and 10 weeks · about 40 hours. Each level assumes the one before it, so you can work straight through from Intermediate to Expert, or start at the level that matches what you already know.

It is written for students and independent readers who want to argue carefully rather than collect opinions. Each theme is taught through sources and competing readings, so you practise building an interpretation and answering the strongest objection to it.

Every module pairs a written summary with a worked example, a short quiz to check the idea landed, and a project brief drawn from real practice. You are never asked to take a concept on trust: the reasoning, the common mistakes and the situations where the approach stops working are all laid out, so you finish a module able to explain the idea rather than only recognise it.

What you’ll be able to do

By the end of the Metaphysics path you should be able to work confidently with:

Ontology

Hands-on: ontology

Common pitfalls in ontology

Identity & change

Putting identity & change to work

Common pitfalls in identity & change

Causation

Hands-on: causation

How the Metaphysics curriculum is structured

Intermediate 6 weeks · about 24 hours 3 modules 9 topics

Intermediate Metaphysics

Start with Ontology, Identity & change and Causation. Each module explains the idea, shows a worked example and ends with a short project, so Metaphysics becomes something you can do rather than something you have only read about.

Modules: Foundations of Ontology · Core methods in Identity & change · Applying Causation

  • Ontology: Ontology is introduced from first principles, with the few terms you actually need and an example that shows how the idea behaves in practice.
  • Hands-on: ontology: Ontology is where many Metaphysics learners first get stuck, so the module slows down, isolates the difficult step and rebuilds it with you.
  • Common pitfalls in ontology: Ontology is introduced from first principles, with the few terms you actually need and an example that shows how the idea behaves in practice.

Project: Write a one-page explanation of Ontology in your own words, with an example you chose yourself, and test it against the module checklist.

Advanced 8 weeks · about 32 hours 3 modules 9 topics

Advanced Metaphysics

Build on the intermediate level through Time, Modality & possibility and Mind & body. The emphasis shifts from knowing the ideas to choosing between them — trade-offs, failure modes and the reasoning behind each decision.

Modules: In depth Time · Patterns and trade-offs in Modality & possibility · Scaling Mind & body

  • Time: Here Time becomes a design decision. You compare alternatives, justify a choice and test it against a harder problem.
  • Hands-on: time: Time is pushed past the textbook case: competing approaches, their trade-offs and the situations where each one breaks down.
  • Checking your understanding of time: Here Time becomes a design decision. You compare alternatives, justify a choice and test it against a harder problem.

Project: Produce a short case analysis in which Time drives the recommendation, including the alternatives you rejected and why.

Expert 10 weeks · about 40 hours 3 modules 9 topics

Expert Metaphysics

Work at the edge of Metaphysics through Free will, Universals & particulars and Metaphysical method. The modules assume fluency and ask for judgement: designing, critiquing and defending work at a professional standard.

Modules: Frontiers of Free will · Leading practice in Universals & particulars · Mastering Metaphysical method

  • Free will: Free will is examined at the frontier, with an emphasis on open problems, rigorous argument and decisions you can defend.
  • Putting free will to work: This module asks you to critique and extend Free will rather than simply apply it, producing work another expert could review.
  • Checking your understanding of free will: Free will is examined at the frontier, with an emphasis on open problems, rigorous argument and decisions you can defend.

Project: Write a professional-standard brief on Free will — argument, evidence, limitations — plus a plan for taking the work further.

How to study Metaphysics, phase by phase

  1. 1

    Phase 1 — Intermediate

    Set aside around 6 weeks · about 24 hours. Work through 3 modules, starting with Foundations of Ontology and Core methods in Identity & change. Finish the phase by completing the project brief: Write a one-page explanation of Ontology in your own words, with an example you chose yourself, and test it against the module checklist.

  2. 2

    Phase 2 — Advanced

    Set aside around 8 weeks · about 32 hours. Work through 3 modules, starting with In depth Time and Patterns and trade-offs in Modality & possibility. Finish the phase by completing the project brief: Produce a short case analysis in which Time drives the recommendation, including the alternatives you rejected and why.

  3. 3

    Phase 3 — Expert

    Set aside around 10 weeks · about 40 hours. Work through 3 modules, starting with Frontiers of Free will and Leading practice in Universals & particulars. Finish the phase by completing the project brief: Write a professional-standard brief on Free will — argument, evidence, limitations — plus a plan for taking the work further.

  4. 4

    Phase 4 — Consolidate

    Return to the sections that felt weakest, redo their quizzes from memory, and rebuild the Write a one-page explanation of Ontology in your own words, with an example you chose yourself, and test it against the module checklist. without following along. Explaining Metaphysics to someone else in plain language is the clearest signal that the Expert level has landed.

Once you have finished, the Metaphysics path is a reasonable foundation for research, policy, education and public-sector work. Because the curriculum is generated and kept as a structured outline rather than fixed videos, you can revisit any module, regenerate the outline at a different depth, or save it to your library and work through it over weeks rather than in one sitting.

Metaphysics — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about studying Metaphysics on LearnAnyCourse.

What does the Metaphysics curriculum cover?

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The Metaphysics curriculum is organised into 3 levels (Intermediate, Advanced and Expert) and 9 modules, including Foundations of Ontology, Core methods in Identity & change, Applying Causation, In depth Time, Patterns and trade-offs in Modality & possibility and Scaling Mind & body.

How long does it take to learn Metaphysics?

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Each level is designed to take about 6 weeks · about 24 hours, 8 weeks · about 32 hours and 10 weeks · about 40 hours. Most learners work through one level at a time at their own pace.

Is the Metaphysics curriculum free?

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Yes. Every Metaphysics curriculum on LearnAnyCourse is free to read and study — create an account only if you want to save curricula to your personal library.

Do I need prior experience to study Metaphysics?

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The curriculum starts at the intermediate level and builds upward, so you can begin with the fundamentals and progress to expert-level Metaphysics topics without jumping ahead.

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