Logic, Science, and Metaphysics: Modal Logic as Metaphysics

Timothy Williamson (Oxford University)

Lecture 1: Logics as Scientific Theories (5 June)

Lecture 2: Modal Logic as Metaphysics (6 June)

Abstract Lecture 2:

The second lecture is a case study of the methodology described in the first, applied to modal logic with a metaphysical interpretation of the modal operators. Some consequences will be drawn out for possible worlds model theory and the question of whether there could have been
things that do not actually exist. The relevance of higher-order modal logic for these issues will also be explained.
 
The Petrus Hispanus Lectures are delivered every other academic year at the University of Lisbon by a leading figure in current research about the nature of mind, cognition and language. Previous Petrus Hispanus Lecturers: Hilary Putnam, Daniel Dennett, Richard Jeffrey, Ned Block, David Kaplan, Tyler Burge.

For more information, please contact Professor João Branquinho [email protected]

LanCog Group (Language, Mind and Cognition Research Group)
Project Online Companion PTDC/FIL-FIL/121209/2010