Pragmatism and Truth

Dr Philip Kitcher (Columbia University)

Centre for Philosophical Psychology, University of Antwerp 

Two talks by Philip Kitcher

When: June 25, 4-6pm

Where: Hof Van Liere, Stadcampus, Antwerp Who: Philip Kitcher (Columbia University) What:   Pragmatism and Truth   Abstract: Pragmatism is notorious for having a deviant concept of truth, one that identifies the truth with what inquirers “are fated to agree on”.  It’s hard to see how that concept can relate to the familiar Tarskian semantics.  I’ll argue that truth can be thought of as a functional concept or as a structural concept.  Functionally, truth characterizes the statements we aim to produce in particular domains of linguistic practice (“language games”).  Tarski gives us the structure of truth for descriptive language (common sense and science).  Pragmatism helps with the structure of truth in other areas – discourse about fiction, mathematics, ethics, religion.  I’ll end by proposing that issues of realism, anti-realism and constructivism are best explicated in terms of the explanatory relations between the pragmatist approach and the Tarskian concept.   AND

When: June 25, 4-6pm

When: June 25, 11am-12.30pm

Where: C103, Stadcampus, Antwerp Who: Philip Kitcher (Columbia University) What:   Joycean Narration   Abstract: Much has been written about the microstructure of Joyce’s narrative techniques.  My aim is to explore the macrostructure.  The distinctive styles of the later chapters of Ulysses (and of some earlier ones, too) can be seen not only as exemplifying the various schemes Joyce presented to his friends (the Linati scheme, the Gilbert scheme), but also as functional ways of connecting the actions and inner states of his characters.  I’ll elaborate this approach for several chapters of Ulysses, and, building on my analyses, will offer some suggestions about the narrative structure of Finnegans Wake.    

More info: