Recent Anglo Spr 2000

RECENT ANGLO AMERICAN PHILOSOPHY

Phil 4/6422, Spring 2000

David Henderson, CL 111, 678-4289

Texts:

Peacocke, A Study of Concepts

Selections on reserve, listed in schedule

Overview:

In this course, we will consider some of the particularly influential understandings of "concepts" that analytic philosophers have developed. The use of the word 'concept' has been quite diverse. In the 2nd half of the class, we will take as a focus the use one finds in Peacocke's book. This view seeks to vindicate a view of concepts that has its roots in Fregean understandings of the "sense" of an expression--"modes of presentation." The view also seeks to come to terms with recent externalist positions such as Putnam's that would challenge the Fregean understanding of meanings. We will not assume that Peacocke's account of correct, of course. The first half of the course will be occupied with looking at predecessor positions and related problematics. This will enable us to to understand Peacocke's position and to provide perspectives from which it might be criticized as well as appreciated.

Evaluations:

Undergraduates will take three takehome exams (each worth 30% of the course grade). The remaining 10% will be determined by consistent preparation and class participation. (A large component of preparation will be gauged by written reponses to readings as suggested in the schedule below.)

Graduate students will take three takehome exams (worth 22% of the course grade) and write a short but insightful paper on a topic to be decided in consultation with the instructor (also worth 22% of the course grade). The remaining 12% will be determined by consistent preparation and class participation.

Schedule:

Date	Reading Assignment	Responses
1/20	Frege, "On Sense and Reference"
1/27	Russell, "On Denoting" and Carnap, "The Elimination of Metaphysics Through the Analysis of Language,"	*
2/3	(Carnap continued and) Hempel, "The Positivist Theory of Cognitive Significance"	*
2/10	Quine, "Two Dogmas of Empiricism" (First takehome given out)	*
2/17	Lewis, "Psychophysical and Theoretical Identification," and "How to Define Theoretical Terms" First takehome Due
2/24	Putnam, "The Meaning of Meaning"	*
3/2	Kripke, Wittgenstein on Rules and Private Language (selections)	*
2/9	Davidson, "Belief and the Basis of Meaning," "Thought and Talk" (Second takehome given out)	*
2/16	Spring Break
2/23	Peacocke, Chapter 1 (and 2) Second Takehome Due	*
2/30	Peacocke, Chapter 2 (and 3)	*
4/6	Peacocke, Chapter 4	*
4/13	Peacocke, Chapter 5	*
4/20	Peacocke, Chapter 6-7 (Third takehome given out)	*
5/2 at 1:00	Final Takehome Due--and for grad students, Paper due