Natural Language Ontology as a Philosophical Practice and an Emerging Discipline

null, null, null, null, null, Siobhan Chapman (University of Liverpool), Justin Vlasits (University Tübingen, University of Illinois, Chicago), Dr Sara L. Uckelman (Durham University)

This event will be hosted on Zoom. For information on how to join, register for the event by emailing Justin Vlasits ([email protected])

Abstract: In this talk I will give an outline of the project of natural language ontology, pointing out that it is not only an emerging discipline that is part of both linguistics and philosophy, but also constitutes a practice that has been pursued to a greater or lesser extent throughout the history of philosophy when philosophers drew on natural language to clarify metaphysical intuitions. I will argue that a core-periphery distinction is essential for both ways of pursuing natural language ontology, and in fact has always been made. I will discuss how the distinction may be elaborated and argue that the particular form of implicit acceptance that pertains to the ontology reflected in the core of language is best understood as a form of knowledge, on a par with knowledge of grammar. On this view, an ontology of the real (the ontology reflected in the core of natural language) will be part of grammar.

After the talk, there will be comments by Siobhan Chapman and Justin Vlasits before moving onto general discussion.