Noncognitivism (Fall 2016 | MIT | Philosophy)

Time/Location:

Thursdays, 2–5
Stata Center (32-D831)

Instructors:

Jack Spencer
Branden Fitelson

Description:

Graduate seminar, covering recent topics in noncognitivism (including noncognitivism in ethics, mind, epistemology, and language).

Requirements:

  • attend all seminar meetings
  • prepare for each seminar by doing the required reading
  • co-lead one (half of) one of the seminar meetings
  • submit 1-2 questions for each of our (four) visitors
  • meet with Prof. Spencer or Prof. Fitelson by 12/1 to discuss your proposed term paper
  • submit a 15-20 page draft of your term paper by 12/21
  • submit your final 20-25 page term paper by 2/6/17

Schedule (subject to change):

 
9/8:

Schroeder, Chapters 1, 2 & 3 of Noncognitivism in Ethics [Notes, Bibliography]

9/15:

Schroeder, Chapters 4, 5, 6 & 7 of Noncognitivism in Ethics [Notes, Bibliography]

9/22:

Dreier, "Expressivist Embeddings and Minimalist Truth"

[Background reading for Dreier: "Meta-ethics and the Problem of Creeping Minimalism"]

9/29:

Dreier, "Can Reasons Fundamentalism Answer the Normative Question?"

[Background reading for Dreier: "Meta-ethics and the Problem of Creeping Minimalism"]

10/6: Dreier, Seminar Visit
10/13:

Bar-On, "Expression, Truth, and Reality: Some Variations on Themes from Wright"

[Background reading: Wright's "Self‐Knowledge: The Wittgensteinian Legacy"]

10/20:

Bar-On, "Expression and Meaning: Acts, Products, and ‘Normative Language’"

[Background readings: "Expressive Communication and Continuity Skepticism" & "Ethical Neo-Expressivism"]

10/27: Bar-On, Seminar Visit
11/3:

Moss, Chapters 1&2 of Probabilistic Knowledge (10/13/16 draft)

[Background reading: Egan, Weatherson, Hawthorne's "Epistemic Modals in Context"]

11/10:

Moss, Chapters 6&7 of Probabilistic Knowledge (10/13/16 draft)

[Background reading: Lewis's "Elusive Knowledge"]

11/17: Moss, Seminar Visit
12/1:

Stalnaker, "Contextualism and the New Relativism", Chapter 8 of Context

[Background reading: "Appendix" from Context]

12/8:

Stalnaker, "Expressivism & Propositions"

[Background reading: "Appendix" from Context]

  • Naomi & Thomas
12/15: Stalnaker, Seminar Visit