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CS92PROD
The Metaphysics of Objectivity: Science, Meaning, and Mattering
PHIL 384
Fall 2008
Section: 01  
Crosslisting: SISP 384

Objectivity is often understood epistemically, as a stance, attitude, methodology, or relation to the world that is conducive to or even necessary for adequate knowledge. Such epistemic conceptions of objectivity have been widely criticized. Yet some philosophers now argue that these very criticisms uncover a more basic commitment to objective accountability as the condition for meaningful thought and understanding. This advanced seminar in philosophy and science studies will explore three attempts to reconceive objectivity as a condition of intelligibility rather than of knowledge: Robert Brandom's neo-pragmatist conception of objectivity as socially constituted, John Haugeland's understanding of objectivity as an "existential commitment" constitutive of scientific understanding, and Karen Barad's post-structuralist feminist conception of objectivity as constituted "intra-actively" in ways that invoke ethical as well as epistemic responsibilities.

Essential Capabilities: None
Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: HA PHIL
Course Format: SeminarGrading Mode: Student Option
Level: UGRD Prerequisites: None
Fulfills a Major Requirement for: (PHIL-Philosophy)(PHIL-Social Jus)(SISP)(SISP-ScieDblMjr)
Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available

Last Updated on MAR-19-2024
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