1st Epistemology of Metaphysics Workshop \;(EMW 1)
University of Helsinki
May 8\, 2015
Keynote Speaker: \;Daniel \;Nolan \;(ANU): "Theoretical Conservatism in Metaphysics"
Your host: \;Tuomas E. Tahko \;(Helsinki)
Call for Papers
Abstracts of up to 500 words for papers suitable for a 40min presentation are invited. We expect to have up to four slots for submitted papers. We hope to provide accommodation for two nights (May 7-9) as well as refreshments and a social dinner for speakers\, but unfortunately cannot reimburse travel expenses. Papers on any topic related to the conference theme are welcome. A list of possible topics (insofar as they relate to metaphysical inquiry):
Please send your abstract to \;tuomas.tahko@helsinki.fi \;in PDF or DOC(X) format. Submissions should be blinded and include the following in the body of the e-mail:
\nThe subject line should read "SUBMISSION: EMW 1". Submissions are especially welcome from graduate students and early-career researchers.
The deadline for submissions is February 1\, 2015. We hope to make decisions within two weeks of the deadline.
Description
Even a cursory glance at recent literature in contemporary analytic metaphysics will reveal that epistemic and methodological issues have gained a central position &ndash\; to the extent that talk of a new sub-discipline is not out of place. This sub-discipline is typically called \;metametaphysics. The focus of this workshop is on an area of metametaphysics that could be termed "the epistemology of metaphysics". On one hand\, the epistemology of metaphysics deals with topics that are fully established\, such as modal epistemology. On the other hand\, it deals with topics such as grounding and fundamentality\, which &ndash\; despite having roots going as far back as Aristotle &ndash\; are at the cutting edge of metaphysics. A third topic which certainly ought to be discussed under this rubric is the relationship between science and metaphysics &ndash\; especially regarding the extent to which metaphysics can\, or should\, be naturalised. There is also a natural overlap with epistemic questions\, such as the use of intuitions as evidence in metaphysics and the role of a priori (armchair) methods vs. a posteriori (empirical) elements in metaphysics.
The workshop is organized by the Academy of Finland project \;The Epistemology of Metaphysics \;led by Tuomas Tahko\, in collaboration with \;Dynamis: The Finnish Network for Metaphysics.
http://ttahko.net/essential-knowledge/