Ontology and Metaontology

This will be a philosophy course on the topic of ontology and metaontology. Ontology is a branch of philosophy (in particular, of metaphysics) concerned with questions of existence.  Important ontological questions include the following: Are there any such things as abstract objects (i.e., non-physical, non-mental, non-spatiotemporal objects)? Are there are any such things as past and future objects, or are all objects presently existing objects? Are there any such things as 4-dimensional objects, i.e., objects with temporal as well as spatial extension?  Are there any such things as 3-dimensional coincident objects?; i.e., are there any pairs of 3-dimensional objects that are located in the exact same place and composed of the exact same parts (or made of the exact same physical stuff)? Are there any such things as composite objects, i.e., objects with proper parts? Are there any such things as merely possible objects, or are all objects actually existing objects? Are there any such things as Gods or non-physical souls?

pplications are invited from graduate students and junior faculty members in philosophy.