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| 513 |
Math Logic 1 |
Klement |
TuTh 9:30
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| Elementary meta-mathematics and logical meta-theory. Topics include completeness and consistency proofs for first-order logic, model theory, elementary number theory (especially Peano arithmetic), and Gödel's incompleteness theorems and related results. Text: Mendelson, Introduction to Mathematical Logic, 4th ed. Requirements: problem sets and exams. Prerequisite: Philosophy 310, or consent of instructor. |
| 541 |
Topics in Metaphysics |
Eddon |
W 12:30-3:00 |
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| 542 |
Topics in Epistemology |
Kornblith |
Tu 1:00-3:30 |
| What is the proper method for justifying philosophical claims? We will look at the role of intuitions, both about hypothetical cases and about principles, in philosophical methodology. Some have claimed that such intuitions play a role in philosophy not unlike the role which observation plays in science. On this view, intuitions serve as data which philosophical theories seek to systematize and, perhaps, explain. Some have argued, however, that much as intuitions play this role in a good deal of philosophical practice, such a practice simply cannot be justified. We will examine the role, if any, of intuition in philosophical theory construction, and consider alternative approaches to philosophy as well. Readings from Bealer, Cappelen, Goldman, Kornblith, Nagel, Pust, Sosa, Stich, Weinberg, Williamson and others. |
| 583 |
Topics in Philosophy of Religion |
Antony |
W 3:30-6:00 |
| We will be examining the connections -- or alleged connections -- between naturalism on the one hand, and a variety of theses about God, mentality, and morality on the other: Does the natural world give us evidence that God exists? Does it give us evidence that God does not exist? If we deny the existence of supernatural beings and forces, can we explain the reliability of our own cognitive faculties? If we are primed by our genetic heritage to form religious beliefs, does that make them less likely to be true? Can the same be said about our moral beliefs? Readings from classical and contemporary philosophical works, supplemented by some readings in cognitive science. Authors will include: David Hume, William Paley, William Rowe, Paul Draper, Alvin Plantinga, Peter van Inwagen, Michael Rea, Roger White, Joshua Greene, Scott Atran, Paul Bloom, Sharon Street, and myself. |
| 592M |
Topics in Early Modern Philosophy |
O'Neill |
M 3:30-6:00 |
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| 594E |
Topics in Meta-Ethics |
Garcia |
Th 1:00-3:30 |
| This course explores various debates in contemporary metaethics. For this semester, we will focus on two main topics: (1) moral psychology (e.g., practical reasoning, the internalism/externalism debates, and the overall relationship between motivation and reasons); and (2) different approaches to normativity, including moral realism, moral constructivism, and moral sentimentalism. Some philosophers we will read include Blackburn, Harman, Korsgaard, McDowell, Railton, Scanlon, Smith, Velleman, and Williams. |
| 742 |
Seminar in Epistemology |
Meacham / Perez Carballo |
M 12:30-3:00 |
| In this class we'll be looking at truth-guided approaches to epistemology. Possible questions we'll consider include: What work is there to be done by a theory of epistemic value? Can a theory of epistemic value give support to epistemic norms? (If so, are there norms beyond norms of formal coherence that can be grounded in such a theory? Can a theory of epistemic value be put to use to give an account of the rationality of conceptual change?) Should we think of epistemic rationality on the model of our best theories of practical rationality? Should a theory of epistemic value be sensitive to anything beyond truth and accuracy considerations? What are the loci of epistemic value? |
| 755 |
Seminar in Philosophy of Mind |
Levine |
Tu 4:00-6:30 |
| Various topics related to consciousness and its metaphysical status: the unity of consciousness and self-consciousness, panpsychism, versions of physicalism, and perhaps others as well. |
| 792A |
Seminar – Ancient Philosophy |
deHarven |
Th 4:00-6:30 |
Alfred North Whitehad is famous for having said that the European philosophical tradition consists in a series of footnotes to Plato; he explains, that Plato's writing is "an inexhaustible mine of suggestion" (1929: 39). In this spirit, we will mine Plato’s works for suggestions in epistemology, i.e., the study of knowledge and its objects—Plato’s epistemology can hardly be pried apart from his metaphysics. We will consider the metaphysical nature of Plato’s Forms given their roles as objects of knowledge, universals (or properties, or perfect particulars, or…), causes, ideals, and what is most real. In addition to the Forms themselves, we will examine predication and participation: the relationship between sensible particulars, sensible properties and the Forms. We will look at the famous third man regresses of the Parmenides, Plato’s approach to non-Being, and the apparent deficiency of the sensible world in comparison to the intelligible. In tandem, we will consider what Plato says about knowledge in contrast to mere belief, knowledge as justified true belief, learning as recollection, how far we find knowledge by acquaintance and by description, logical atomism, error, and whether Plato can be considered a coherentist. Readings will include Plato’s Meno, Phaedo, Symposium, Timaeus, Parmenides, Republic, Theaetetus, and Sophist, along with secondary literature (both commentaries and articles). |
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