What is the nature and structure of reality? Aristotle famously describes metaphysics as the study of "being qua being." Metaphysicians want to know what the world is like, and tend to ask questions about what sorts of things exist (are there numbers?), as well as what sorts of things are fundamental (is everything made of simple elements?). At Rutgers, Jonathan Schaffer focuses on issues concerning grounding, monism, and causation, Ted Sider on fundamentality, meta-metaphysics and the metaphysics of science, and Dean Zimmerman on issues concerning time, persons, and divinity.
In addition, Rutgers hosts Metaphysical Mayhem, a biennial, week-long graduate student workshop. Rutgers also provides the home base for Oxford Studies in Metaphysics, and a biennial essay competition, the Sanders Prize in Metaphysics.
Core faculty:
Karen Bennett, Jonathan Schaffer, Ted Sider, Dean Zimmerman
Additional faculty:
David Albert, Andy Egan, Jeff King, Brian Leftow, Martin Lin, Barry Loewer, Matthew McGrath, Brian McLaughlin, Jill North, Ernie Sosa
College Avenue Campus