09674 - Logic and Epistemology

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide students with the fundamental conceptual tools to address some central epistemological notions such as belief, truth, epistemic justification. Their mutual relations, as well as the relationships holding between them and other core epistemological notions, will be investigated in depth. Students will acquire the capability to orientate themselves in the contemporary debate on the nature and role of scientific theories and on the relationship between observation and theory, to critically analyze original texts, and to discuss the main theoretical perspectives dealt with in the course.

Course contents

The first set of lectures (30 hours) is meant to provide articulate conceptual tools to address the philosophical debate on scientific realism and antirealism. The major positions in the debate will be critically examined. A special attention will be devoted to constructive empiricism, structural realism, and entity realism.

The first set of lectures will be given by Prof. Campaner, in the second term, starting January 30th, with the following schedule: Monday 11am-1pm, Aula XI, Via Zamboni 38; Tuesday, 11am-1pm, Aula XI, Via Zamboni 38; Wednesday, 1pm-3pm, Aula VII, Via Zamboni 38.

The second set of lectures (30 hours) will deal with propositional modal logics through the so-called possible world semantics. According to such semantics the truth of a statement in a state of things (“world”) does not depend only on that precise state of things, but also on others. The truth or the falsehood today of “tomorrow the course will start” does not only depend on what is happening now, but also on what it will happen tomorrow. This basic example suffices to understand how the possible world semantics can provide suitable models for all cases in which semantical values depend on a variety of interrelated states of things. In particular, the notions of necessity and possibility find a satisfying treatment in the Kripkean possible world semantics.

This part of the course will start with an historical overview about the philosophical investigation of the aletic modalities “to be necessary” and “to be possible”. It will then treat the following subjects: syntax of propositional modal logics; Kripkean possible worlds semantics; expressible and non-expressible properties in modal propositional logic language; main systems of normal modal logics; labelled sequent calculi for modal logics; Completeness Thorems.

The second set of lessons will be held by dott. Guido Gherardi.

Readings/Bibliography

The following are the main recommended readings. Further readings will be indicated at the beginning of the course. 

I Modulo

J. Ladyman, Filosofia della scienza. Un'introduzione, Roma: Carocci, 2007, capp. 5-6-7-8 (pp. 143-265).

E. Mach, La meccanica nel suo sviluppo storico-critico, Torino: Bollati Boringhieri, 1977, pp. 470-483.

H. Poincaré, Il valore della scienza, Bari: Edizioni Dedalo, 1992, pp. 181-198.

L. Laudan, "A Confutation of Convergent Realism", Philosophy of Science 48, 19-49, 1981

B. van Fraassen, L'immagine scientifica, Bologna: CLUEB, 1985, pp. 25-50.

B. van Fraassen, "Constructive Empiricism Now", Philosophical Studies 106, 151-170, 2001.

I. Hacking, Conoscere e sperimentare, Bari: Laterza, pp. 198-248.

J. Worrall, "Structural Realism: The Best of Both Worlds?", Dialectica 43, 99-124, 1989.

II Modulo

The handout provided by the teacher during the course will constitute the most important didactical support for the student.

The following volumes are recommended as side material:

M. Mugnai: Possibile/Necessario. il Mulino. 2013.

Chagrov, M. Zakharyaschev: Modal Logic. Claredon Press. 1997

S. Negri, J. von Plato: Proof Analysis: a contribution to Hilbert’s last problem. Cambridge University Press. 2011

Possible further bibliographic references may be provided by the teacher during the course.

 

Teaching methods

The course will consist in a series of lectures. Students will be encouraged to deliver short presentations and research works.

Assessment methods

 

A distinct oral examination will have to be taken for each module of the course. The examinations aim at assessing the attainment of the expected learning outcomes. The final grade is the simple mean of the grades received in the two examinations.

The oral examination on the contents of the first module aims at assessing whether the student masters the contemporary debate on scientific realism and antirealism, the core notions that are required for discussing the main issues concerning the nature and role of scientific theories as well as the relation between observation and theory.

In the oral exam concerning the second part of the course, student’s capacity of dealing with the vocabulary, the basic notions and the demonstrative techniques introduced in the course will be evaluated.

The two oral examinations aim at assessing the student's ability to present and critically analyse the various views discussed in the course. The attainment of a comprehensive and detailed perspective, the acquisition of in-depth knowledge of the relevant texts, an ability to make critical use of the arguments that have been introduced in the course, clear presentation and an appropriate use of technical language will result in excellent grades. The attainment of adequate knowledge of the contents without an autonomous capacity of critical elaboration and a generally correct but not totally flawless use of technical language will result in good grades. The attainment of limited and/or parrotlike knowledge of the contents, absence of synthetic and/or analytic capacities and correct use of non-technical language only will result in lower grades. The attainment of very limited and superficial knowledge of the contents and/or inaccurate use of language will allow only the minimum pass grade. Poor knowledge of the contents, seriously inaccurate use of language and a lack of familiarity with the literature discussed in the course will lead to the failure of the examination.

No notes, open books or electronic devices are allowed during the examinations.

 

Teaching tools

Powerpoint slides will be used and handouts provided. 

The first set of lectures will be delivered by Raffaella Campaner, the second set by Guido Gherardi.

Office hours

See the website of Raffaella Campaner

See the website of Guido Gherardi