Timothy Williamson - Introduction to Higher-order Metaphysics

Timothy Williamson (University of Oxford, Yale University, Universitá della Svizzera Italiana)

We are delighted to invite you to our open lecture on December 10 from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm CET.

The open lecture is born to be a safe and friendly space for every student who wants to have a taste of one of our MA in Philosophy classes. The MAP is glad to welcome you with the help of Professor Williamson and his “Introduction to Higher-order Metaphysics”.

Here is the abstract of the lecture:

Higher-order metaphysics articulates metaphysical questions and theories in formal languages for higher-order logic, in which one can generalize into predicate position, sentence position, operator position, etc., as well as the more usual option of just generalizing into name position. This approach provides a more perspicuous and fruitful framework for metaphysical theorizing than traditional talk of properties, relations, propositions, and the like. The higher-order framework receives independent support from its use in mathematics. Questions about how to interpret higher-order quantification will be discussed. The lecture will keep technicalities to a minimum and will not presuppose any prior acquaintance with higher-order languages.

Open lectures are held on campus for philosophy students and on Zoom for everyone. To attend either in presence or online, please register by filling out the form on this page: https://join.usi.ch/en/master-philosophy-open-lecture

If you choose to attend the lecture remotely, we will send you an email to the Zoom meeting a couple of hours before the event. Alternatively, if you prefer to join us on campus, please arrive 20 minutes early for check-in.

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about higher-order metaphysics with Professor Williamson!