How to Ground Semantics in Higher-Order Metaphysics

Edward Zalta (Stanford University)

The next meeting of the Sign-Language-Reality seminar in the academic year 2025/26 will take place:  

Thursday, the 6th of November 2025, 17.00, Central European Time  

Edward N. Zalta
(Stanford University)  

will deliver a talk:  

How to Ground Semantics in Higher-Order Metaphysics 

Abstract:

Philosophical logicians often develop a language and a semantics to represent and study a body of philosophically interesting sentences whose truth conditions are ontologically puzzling. Examples include: possible world semantics, situation semantics, impossible world semantics, Routley star semantics, possibility semantics, etc. The philosophical action takes place in the semantics, which includes set- and model-theoretic constructions and so assumes mathematics. By contrast, in object theory (OT), the philosophical work is carried out in an axiom and proof system that assumes no mathematics. The system allows one to prove, in the object language, the principles that are stipulated in the semantic systems mentioned above, without mathematics. In particular, one may define and prove the basic principles governing possible worlds (Kripke), situations (Barwise/Perry), Routley-star situations, impossible worlds (à la Nolan), and (Humberstone) possibilities. And the mathematics used in these semantics can be analyzed in OT as well.  

The seminar will be held online, to join the meeting, please use the information below:

Join Zoom Meeting  https://uw-edu-pl.zoom.us/j/92716044372?pwd=0l7PETAOwqQDBKTMCnheYQN7ag7zx1.1

Meeting ID: 927 1604 4372 Passcode: 697648   The meeting opens at 4:45 pm, the talk starts at 5 pm.   

https://www.pts.edu.pl/seminarium