PHIL 3310

This class is just like Merrick's philosophy of Religion class. It's a hard topic but he makes it very understandable and fun. There's a large final paper, but he spreads it out through the semester to make sure you do really well and have all the help you need. Tests are easy and he fives you a study guide with all the material that will be on the test. Highly highly recommend any class that Merricks teaches.

Merricks is easily my favorite professor. If you're a philosophy major, I highly recommend taking this course. It's very challenging , but definitely worth it. I also took Philosophy of Religion and actually ended up doing a lot better in Metaphysics so I wouldn't worry too much about grades if you know how Merricks runs his course. Other than that its still a fun class that is very much so worth it.

This class was one hell of an emotional rollercoaster (in the best way possible). Metaphysics is a daunting subject, and a lot of the theories you will go over with Merricks assume prior experience in logic, epistemology, and history. That being said, Merricks is the coolest professor in the philosophy department and it doesn't even come close. He's very accomplished, hilarious, and genuinely cares about his students. Merricks is very fair with his grading and emphasizes that he is not trying to make things difficult. There are two tests that are non-cumulative and are based 100% on the lectures. If you skip lectures, you will not pass this class - every single lecture is **critical** to the tests. He also posts very extensive study guides so that you know exactly what will be on the tests.

Beyond the two tests, there is also a big term paper that you will work on throughout the semester. It ends up being very manageable because you are assigned a partner and have to turn in parts of your paper throughout the semester. By the end of the semester, your paper will have been turned a few times and you don't have to worry about getting a bad grade unless you just completely ignored every single step.

I found the material really interesting, and Merricks' examples are funny and very interactive. He's a passionate guy and it comes out. My advice: don't take the course lightly, do your readings, go to lecture, take really good notes, make sure to note what Merricks says verbatim about solutions to problems - and give it your best. If you do that, you will come out fine; if you slack, it will hurt. I kinda slacked and came out with a B+, but do as I say not as I do.

The other reviews here are accurate. Merricks is a fantastic professor and a true expert, and his course was one of the best I've taken at UVA. I felt challenged in a good way, and I became really interested in the material. 5/5