Description

Important philosophers have been captivated by the revolution in formal logic during the 20th century. Many of their arguments rest on new mathematical discoveries. Hilary Putnam has argued that the Löwenheim-Skolem theorem refutes the existence of an objective and mind-independent world. Bas van Fraassen has contended that arguments in the philosophy of science against empiricism are ineffective against a semantic approach to theories. W. V. O. Quine has maintained that the distinction between analytic and synthetic truths is trivialised by the fact that all theories are reducible to theories in which all theorems are analytic.

Hans Halvorson's book "The Logic in Philosophy of Science" analyses these arguments and other through a detailed investigation of their underlying logical facts. It gives systematic presentation of key notions such as theory, reduction, model and, especially, theoretical equivalence.

During this Winter School, Hans Halvorson will guide us through some of the themes of his book over the course of three days. Strong emphasis will be placed on various formal accounts of theoretical equivalence and their applications.

The Winter School will be held in English and presupposes only an introductory course in predicate logic. It will take place at the University of Geneva.

Schedule

Tuesday March 8, 16-18, room PHIL203 ("Philosophes" Building, Bd des Philosophes 22, 1205 Genève)
Wednesday March 9, 18-20, room L208 ("Landolt" Building, Rue de Candolle 2, 1205 Genève)
Thursday March 10, 16-18, room B002 ("Uni Bastions" Building, Rue de Candolle 5, 1205 Genève)