Analytic Metaphysics: “Empiricism, Semantics, and Ontology," Rudolf Carnap

Current text:

• “Metaphysics, An Anthology,” 2nd edition, edited by Kim, Korman, and Sosa,

Primary reading assignment:

• “Empiricism, Semantics, and Ontology," Rudolf Carnap,

Highly suggested supplementary reading assignments:

• "Identity, Ostentation, and Hypostasis," W.V.O. Quine (Found in "From a Logical Point of View," W.V.O. Quine). This paper further develops Quine's position, providing a relatively easy-to-read and straightforward account. This should be considered a follow-up to last meeting's assigned reading, "On What There Is," W.V.O. Quine.,
• "Existential Hypotheses: Realistic versus Phenomenalistic Interpretations," Herbert Feigl (referenced in Carnap's paper). An in depth paper that defends physicalist against empiricist accounts; this is only recommended to those who care about this topic, as it will likely only be minimally important to our discussion.,

Other suggested supplementary reading assignments:

• "Notes on Existence and Necessity," W.V.O. Quine (referenced in Carnap's paper),
• "Designation and Existence," W.V.O. Quine (referenced in Carnap's paper),
• "Logic and Reification of Universals," W.V.O. Quine (referenced in Carnap's paper) (Found in "From a Logical Point of View," W.V.O. Quine.)

.PDFs of these reading assignments can be found in the Blinding Cyclops Discord server. See below under "Hosting" for instructions about how to join the server and find the readings.

Seminar Description

In this seminar, which meets every other Saturday at 2:00p PT, we read and discuss essays and books about metaphysics from the analytic philosophy tradition. Typically, the primary reading assignment is a single essay or a single chapter from a book, while the suggested supplementary reading assignments are citations from the primary reading assignment.

Our discussions are focused on evaluating and debating the argument presented in the primary reading assignment. Because of this, attendees are expected to have read and understood the primary reading assignment before the meeting begins. The suggested supplementary reading assignments may run to dozens if not hundreds of pages and for this reason it’s not mandatory to have also read these prior to the meeting, though it’s encouraged that attendees read as much of these materials as possible. Those who have not read the primary reading assignment are welcome and may chat in writing with other attendees but may not participate verbally.

The goal of this seminar is to foster understandings of the topics explored by the analytic philosophy tradition related not only to metaphysics but also related topics in epistemology, ontology, logic, the philosophy of language, and the foundations of mathematics and the material sciences. While our intentions are serious, as I hope the formal language of this syllabus has conveyed, our discussions will be a shitshow as only befits the subject matter and its history, reflecting discussions and debates that have been ongoing not only for the relatively short history of analytic philosophy, but the history of philosophy in its entirety.

So please join us for lively, rambunctious, contentious, but hospitable and welcoming investigations into the very foundations of truth and reality!

Hosting

We meet on the Blinding Cyclops Discord server. You can join by clicking this link: https://discord.gg/urPBsNTWuK. Channels related to this seminar can be found in the left hand column of the server under the category, “Analytic Metaphysics.” Reading assignments can be found in #metaphysics-schedule-and-readings; electronic copies of the reading assignments (when I can find them freely available online) can be found in #metaphysics-resources; general discussion related to this seminar can be found in #metaphysics-discussion. Our meetings occur in the voice/video channel titled “Metaphysics Meeting Room.”