SYLLABUS: Download OVERVIEW:
How
should we reason about the past and future? Should we adopt a spatial model of the past and future-- are they just like other
regions of space? Are they like the possible worlds of modal logic? Is there a sense in which the past and future are unreal? Is the future
importantly different from the past? Is there a clear and precise sense
in which the future is open?
And how should we reason about change? Do objects come into and out of
existence? Or do they eternally exist,
as the spatial model of time suggests? Can
abstract objects like propositions change? Do entire regions of spacetime
undergo change?
In this course we will look in detail at some contemporary debates over time
and change. The focus of the course will be a bedeviling problem about
expressing change in existence over time.
The first half of the class will be largely foundational. We'll
try to rigorously define the difference between A-theories and B-theories of
time. We'll consider different attempts to state these theories in
logical formalisms, in particular attempts to describe change in existence.
We’ll weigh arguments for and against various philosophical views about change
in existence.
In
the second half of this course, we'll consider ways in which this debate over
time and change impinges on other branches on philosophy. I'm
particularly interested in the metaphysics of creation and death, the
“openness” of the future, and issues that motivate relativism in philosophy of
language.
NOTE: I don't presuppose any particular background in logic beyond the
undergraduate introductory level and a willingness to learn. And, if necessary, I will
hold a few optional "formal bootcamp" sessions for those who need
extra practice. One of my auxiliary goals in this class is to raise our
collective logic literacy, so we can understand and criticize arguments in
metaphysics that make use of formalism.
TEXTBOOKS: There won't be a textbook for this class, as we'll be reading contemporary articles. But you might pick up Sider's Four-Dimensionalism or Haslanger and Kurtz's Persistence: Contemporary Readings. Each contain helpful (and accessible!) background. The Sider book is available online through the Hesburgh library. For logic background, I recommend Sider's Logic for Philosophy.ASSIGNMENTS: Two problem sets to get practice with the formalism, one argument introduction, and one term paper. An argument introduction is a 7-10 minute conference-style commentary on an article. The term paper should be 15-30 pages and it should defend a plausible original argument pertaining to one of the topics we've discussed in class. It will be written and rewritten in stages.
MEET THE CREW OF TIMESEM 2012: |
Ċ ď Meghan Sullivan, Jan 31, 2012 8:05 AM
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