Zalta's Lectures: Axiomatic Theory of Abstract Objects

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About the topic:

In this lecture series, we present a body of theorems formally derivable from the axioms of “object theory”. The axioms are motivated and presented in the first lecture, and once they are in place, we define a variety of abstract objects and systematize them by deriving the their governing principles as theorems. We identify and derive principles governing: truth-values, logical classes, situations, possible worlds, impossible worlds, concepts (including complete individual concepts), Forms, fictions, Fregean senses, Fregean (natural) numbers, and theoretical mathematical individuals and relations generally.

A Note About the Readings: Though the readings are optional, the best preparation, however, is not to read the papers I’ve listed below, but rather to have familiarity with the work cited in the Bibliographies of the papers listed below. That is, the best preparation is to be familiar with what others have said about such topics as logical objects (and neologicism), situations, possible and impossible worlds, concepts, Plato’s Forms, fictions, Fregean Senses, and mathematical objects.

 

Aim/Objective

The objectives of the course are to familiarize participants with the theory of objects, developed and defended by Prof. Ed Zalta, and to more generally discuss the topics with which it deals, such as: logical classes, situations, possible and impossible worlds, concepts, Forms, fictions, Fregean senses, Fregean numbers, and mathematical individuals and relations.

 

Programme

 

(All the articles can be found here.)

 

Lecture 1: Mon, May 22, 11:00-13:00: Introduction, Axioms, and Logical Objects (Truht Values and Classes)

Reading: See the Bibliography to:

-- David J. Anderson and E. Zalta, 2004, "Frege, Boolos, and Logical Objects", Journal of Philosophical Logic, 33(1), 1-26.

 

Lecture 2: Mon, May 22, 15:00-17:00: Situations, Possible Worlds, and Impossible Worlds

Reading: See the Bibliographies to:

--E. Zalta, 1993, "Twenty-Five Basic Theorems in Situation and World Theory", Journal of Philosophical Logic, 22, 385-428.

--E. Zalta, 1997, "A Classically-Based Theory of Impossible Words", Notre Dame Journal of Formal Logic, 38(4), 640-660.

 

Lecture 3: Tue, May 23, 11:00-13:00: Concepts and Modal Metaphysics

Reading: See the Bibliography to:

--E. Zalta, 2000, "A (Leibnizian) Theory of Concepts", Logical Analysis and History of Philosophy, 3, 137-183.

 

Lecture 4: Tue, May 23, 15:00-17:00: Forms, Fictions, and Fregean Senses

Reading: See the Bibliographies to:

--F.J. Pelletier and E. Zalta, 2000, "How to Say Goodbye to the Third Man", Noûs, 34(2), 165-202.

--E. Zalta, 2000, "The Road Between Pretense Theory and Object Theory" in Empty Names, Fiction, and the Puzzles of Non-Existence, A. Everett and T. Hofweber (eds.), Stanford: CSLI Publications, pp. 117-147.

--E. Zalta, 2001, "Fregean Senses, Modes of Presentation, and Concepts", Philosophical Perspectives, 15, 333-359.

 

Lecture 5: Wed, May 24, 11:00-13:00: Frege Numbers, Mathematical Individuals, and Mathematical Relations

Reading: See the Bibliographies to:

--E. Zalta, 1999, "Natural Numbers and Natural Cardinals as Abstract Objects: A Partial Reconstruction of Frege's Grundgesetze in Object Theory", Journal of Philosophical Logic, 28(6), 619-660.

--U. Nodelman and E. Zalta, 2014, "Foundations for Mathematical Structuralism", Mind, 123(489), 39-78.

 

Lecturer:

Professor Dr. Edward N. Zalta

 

Required preparations

The participants are expected to actively participate in the discussions. Assigned readings will be optional, but participants are strongly advised to do the readings in case they are not already familiar with the relevant topics.

 

Costs

Free.

 

How to register:

Applications are not required. We do however ask participants to register here.

 

Organizers

Franz Berto (LoC), Dr. Martin Lipman