Topics in Metaphysics
PHIL 390
Spring 2021 not offered
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| This course may be repeated for credit. |
Among the many enigmatic aspects of Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus are (a) an apparent distinction between what can be said and what can only be shown, (b) the purported doctrine that there is truth in solipsism and mysticism, (c) the supposed coincidence of realism and idealism, and (d) finally, the apparent astonishing "conclusion" of the Tractatus that this book is made up of nonsense, and has itself to be overcome, to see the world right. This seminar focuses on the existence and nature of what cannot be said, in particular on a recent "resolute" approach to interpreting the Tractatus according to which what cannot be said is nothing more than plain nonsense, and a variety of critiques of this "resolute" approach. Investigation of this interpretive controversy points to a spectrum of conceptions of the mystical and the unsayable. We conclude the seminar with the significance of these conceptions for the nature of philosophizing. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA PHIL |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: (PHIL201 OR PHIL202) AND (PHIL231 OR PHIL286 OR PHIL289 OR PHIL292) OR PHIL261 |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (PHIL)(PHIL-Philosophy)(PHIL-Social Jus) |
Major Readings:
Classic and contemporary sources.
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Examinations and Assignments:
One seminar paper, and possibly also other assignments. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
This is an advanced seminar in philosophy, and so students will need to have a general background in the history of philosophy, such as acquired from Phil 201 or 202, and some knowledge of logic, such as acquired from Phil 231, Phil 290, or Math 243, and probably also one course in philosophy beyond the introductory level. |
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