Logic and Inference

Conference: Logic and Inference

March 19-20 London, Institute of Philosophy 

Room G37, Senate House, Malet St, London WC1E 7HU, ground floor

Speakers: Corine Besson (Sussex), Paul Boghossian (NYU), Matthew Chrisman (Edinburgh), Sinan Dogramaci (Austin), Gil Harman (Princeton), Gail Leckie (Sussex), Ian Rumfitt (Birmingham), Joshua Schechter (Brown)

The role of logic can hardly be underestimated. On one hand, logical rules determine the basic canons of correct thinking. On the other, it is well known that very large portions of mathematics can be reconstructed only using logic and definitions. But what is logic? And how, if at all, can we know facts about logical validity? One promising starting point for answering these questions is the thought that logic, and our knowledge of it, are to be understood with reference to our inferential practice. Accordingly, the conference focuses on the twofold inferentialist idea that the meaning of a logical expression is determined by the rules for its correct deductive use, and that to know the meaning of a logical expression is to know how to use it correctly. This very popular idea among philosophers has never been systematically explored. The main aim of the conference is to clarify the position, and to explore its attractive, if controversial, epistemological ramifications.

Website: http://inferenceandlogic.wordpress.com/conference/

A poster can be downloaded here.

Programme:

March 19

9:00-10:30 Paul Boghossian (NYU) 

10:30-11:00 Coffee break 

11:00-12:30 Sinan Dogramaci (Austin) 

12:30-2:00 Lunch 

2:00-3:30 Matthew Chrisman (Edinburgh) 

3:30-4:00 Coffee break 

4:00-5:30 Gail Leckie (Sussex, Oxford) 

7:00 Dinner 

March 20 

9:00-10:30 Gil Harman (Princeton) 

10:30-11:00 Coffee break 

11:00-12:30 Corine Besson (Sussex) 

12:30-2:00 Lunch 

2:00-3:30 Joshua Schechter (Brown) 

3:30-4:00 Coffee break 

4:00-5:30 Ian Rumfitt (Birmingham) 

Organisers: Julien Murzi (Kent & MCMP, Munich) and Florian Steinberger (MCMP, Munich)

Attendance is free. However, if you are planning to attend, please send an email to either Julien (j DOT murzi AT gmail DOT com or Florian (Florian DOT Steinberger AT lmu DOT de)

The conference is generously funded by the British Academy, the Aristotelian Society, and the Mind Association.