LOGIC AND METAPHYSICS

The course provides an introduction to Formal Metaphysics, that is, the investigation of topics, issues, arguments that are central in analytic metaphysics, and require the use of sophisticated formal tools. In particular we will discuss different relations (parthood, location, dependence, fundamentality) and issues related to that such as the general theory of composition, extension and simplicity, possibility of multilocation and omnipresence, to mention a few.

The course also introduces mathematical theories that are simply indispensable in contemporary philosophy: order theory, algebraic structures, and measure theory.

Familiarity with sophisticated formal logic, rigorous formulations of central philosophical questions.

Formally, there are no pre-requisites. As far as possible, everything will be introduced in class. A certain familiarity with first order logic---e.g., a course in Logic 1---represents an advantage. Attendance is highly recommended.

The following is a tentative program that is expected to change---also depending on students’ interests. A detailed schedule with all sessions will be uploaded on Moodle.

• Introduction to Formal Metaphysics
• Formal Theories of Parthood
• Formal Theories of Location
• Formal Theories of Extension
• Formal Theories of Dependence
• Applications to Cases of Material Metaphysics

[1] Bliss, R. and Priest, G. 2018. The Geography of Fundamentality. In Bliss, R. and Priest, G.(eds) Reality and Its Structure. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 1-34.

[2] Gilmore, C., Calosi, C. and Costa, D. 2024. Location and Mereology. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. At: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/location-mereology/ .

[3] Hofweber, T. 2020. Logic and Ontology. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. At: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/logic-ontology/ .

[4] McDaniel, K. (2007b). Brutal simples. Oxford Studies in Metaphysics, 3, 233–265.

[5] Parsons, J. 2007. Theories of Location. In D. Zimmerman (ed.), Oxford Studies in Metaphysics, 3: 201–232.

[6] Varzi, A. 2016. Mereology. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. At: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/mereology/ .

The exam consists of a written paper on one of the topics of the course. The topic needs to be agreed in advance. Further references on such topic will be suggested. The paper should not exceed 4000 words. Students that submit the paper a month before the scheduled exam will be sent written comments on the draft in advance.

written

To pass the exam 18/30 is needed. 30L is the highest grade.

The course is structured around frontal lectures. However active participation (questions, discussion) is highly encouraged.

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