Unless otherwise noted all talks are in 607 Dale Hall Tower
Douglas Kutach (University of Oklahoma)
Friday, January 18, 2002, 12:30 PM -- "The Entropy Theory of Counterfactuals"
Abstract: I assess the thesis that counterfactual asymmetries are explained by an asymmetry of the global entropy at the temporal boundaries of the universe, by developing a method of evaluating counterfactuals that includes, as a background assumption, the low entropy of the early universe. The resulting theory vindicates the common practice of holding the past mostly fixed under counterfactual supposition while at the same time allowing the counterfactual’s antecedent to obtain by a natural physical development. Although the theory has some success in evaluating a wide variety of ordinary counter-factuals, it fails as an explanation of counterfactual asymmetry.
Michael Silberstein (Elizabeth Town College)
FOCAS Lecture: Friday, February 22, 2002, 4:00 PM -- "Raising Consciousness: The Emerging Soul in Science and Philosophy"
Claire Horisk (University of Missouri at Columbia)
Friday, March 8, 2002, 4:00 PM -- "What Should Deflationism Be When it Grows Up?
Abstract: Deflationists about truth hold that we can fully account for the use of "is true" without appeal to a substantive property of truth. Early deflationists held that "is true" is used mostly for rhetorical or pragmatic purposes. Proponents of the most popular forms of contemporary deflationism, disquotationalism and minimalism, abandon this thesis and instead hold that "is true" serves logical functions. In this paper, I evaluate the merits of this change in deflationism, and argue that contrary to their claim, contemporary deflationists cannot fully account for everyday uses of "is true." The difficult cases for contemporary deflationists are blind ascriptions of truth, such as "What Caleb said was true." I conclude that contemporary deflationists must at the very least expand their account with the admission that "is true" sometimes has non-logical functions.
C. D. C. Reeve (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
Friday, April 5, 2002, 4:00PM -- "The Erotic Socrates"
C. D. C. Reeve
Saturday, April 6, 2002, 4:00 PM, Dale Hall 103: Keynote Address: The Seventh Annual Undergraduate Philosophy Colloquium.
"Leaving Calypso: A Philosopher's Odyssey"
Abstract: Two erotic mysteries lie at the heart of Homer's Odyssey: Why does Odysseus leave the eternally beautiful nymph Calypso? And why are the hundred and seventeen young princes so eager to marry the middle-aged Penelope? My aim is to solve these mysteries. An acquaintance with the Odyssey is useful but not essential.
Paul Weirich (University of Missouri at Columbia)
Friday, April 19, 2002, 4:00 PM -- "Economic Rationality"
Abstract: Economists present various principles of rationality. I review the most prominent principles and standard objections to them. Then I defend a principle of utility maximization with roots in micro-economics. I refine and generalize it to ward off objections and enhance its theoretical value.