CfR: Abduction and Modelling in Metaphysics. A Series of Events with Timothy Williamson (University of Duesseldorf, December 4-7, 2018)
Submitted by Christian J. Feldbacher-Escamilla (DCLPS, University of Duesseldorf).
EVENT SERIES:
December 4, 2018: Public Evening Talk of Timothy Williamson
December 4-5, 2018: Reading Group with Timothy Williamson
December 6-7, 2018: Workshop on Abduction and Modelling in Metaphysics
**********
WORKSHOP
Abduction and Modelling in Metaphysics
Speakers:
- Helen Beebee (University of Manchester): Peer Disagreement and Scepticism in Metaphysics
- Stephen Biggs (Iowa State University): Towards an Abduction-based Epistemology of Metaphysics
- Igor Douven (CNRS, Paris): Putting Prototypes in Place: An Engineering Approach
- Tim Maudlin (NYU): tba
- Ilkka Niiniluoto (University of Helsinki): Abductive Arguments for Ontological Realism
- Gerhard Schurz (University of Duesseldorf): Abduction as a Method of Inductive Metaphysics
- Meghan Sullivan (University of Notre Dame): Modal Logic and the Methodology of Metaphysics: A Case Study in the Relationship Between Formalism and Abduction
- Timothy Williamson (University of Oxford): Abduction in Logic and Mathematics
Description:
Methodological questions have been in the focus of many recent philosophical debates. The role of thought experiments, the method of cases, intuitions, etc. has been studied intensively within metaphilosophy. This reflective attitude is often considered to be a characteristic feature of philosophical investigation and, hence, it is no surprise that occasionally it results in some kind of self-application. In metaphysics, recent severe criticism of traditional investigations led to quite versatile metametaphysical stances: There is the radical sceptical approach according to which metaphysical studies better dissolve in the corresponding branches of science rather than being performed in an encapsulated way; and there is the other end of the spectrum according to which metaphysics is a self-standing endeavour to be conducted in an a priori fashion. In between are more moderate stances proposing that metaphysical investigation ought to employ both, scientific findings and methods on the one hand, and conceptual analysis and methods of traditional metaphysics on the other. Inductive metaphysics, for example, aims at applying the abductive and modelling methodology of science within metaphysical investigation. Such an approach, however, raises several questions: What does the abductive methodology exactly consist in and what is its epistemic rationale? How are metaphysical models to be characterised and evaluated and what constitutes metaphysical data and evidence? What distinguishes such an inductive metaphysical approach from naturalising metaphysics? This workshop aims at exploring some of these and related questions regarding the theoretical presuppositions of metaphysical methodology.
Programme:
December 6, 2018
10:00-11:00: Stephen Biggs: Towards an Abduction-based Epistemology of Metaphysics
11:00-11:30: Coffee Break
11:30-12:30: Ilkka Niiniluoto: Abductive Arguments for Ontological Realism
12:30-14:30: Lunch Break
14:30-15:30: Gerhard Schurz: Abduction as a Method of Inductive Metaphysics
15:30-16:00: Coffee Break
16:00-17:00: Timothy Williamson: Abduction in Logic and Mathematics
18:00-: Dinner
December 7, 2018
10:00-11:00: Igor Douven: Putting Prototypes in Place: An Engineering Approach
11:00-11:30: Coffee Break
11:30-12:30: Helen Beebee: Peer Disagreement and Scepticism in Metaphysics
12:30-14:30: Lunch Break
14:30-15:30: Meghan Sullivan: Modal Logic and the Methodology of Metaphysics: A Case Study in the Relationship Between Formalism and Abduction
15:30-16:00: Coffee Break
16:00-17:00: Tim Maudlin: tba
Date and Venue: The workshop takes place from December 6 to 7, 2018, at the Haus der Universitaet (Schadowplatz 14, 40212 Duesseldorf) of the University of Duesseldorf.
Registration:
Attendance is free. If you are interested in attending, please register via e-mail to <christian.feldbacher-escamilla@hhu.de> until November 30, 2018.
More Information:
For the detailed programme, abstracts, and further information, please visit <https://indmet.weebly.com/abduction-and-modelling-in-metaphysics.html>.
**********
PUBLIC EVENING TALK
The workshop is preceded by a public evening talk of Timothy Williamson on “Morally Loaded Examples in Philosophy”; the evening lecture takes place on December 4, 2018, from 18:30 to 20:00, at the Haus der Universitaet (Schadowplatz 14, 40212 Duesseldorf).
**********
READING GROUP
We also would like to draw your attention to a reading group with Timothy Williamson which takes place from December 4 to 5, 2018, at the Campus of the University of Duesseldorf. If you are interested in joining the reading group, please contact the website for further information and reading material: <https://indmet.weebly.com/abduction-and-modelling-in-metaphysics.html>
Dates and Venue:
Tuesday, December 4, 2018, 10:00 till lunch, HHU Duesseldorf (Rektoratsraeume)
Welcome and Introduction by Siegfried Jaag and Markus Schrenk
Discussion of papers (tba)
Wednesday, December 5, 10:00 till lunch, HHU Duesseldorf (Rektoratsraeume)
Discussions of papers (tba)
At the reading groups, we will discuss papers and selected book chapters that are related to inductive metaphysics. The specific readings for the sessions will be announced shortly. Attendance is free but limited to a few places. If you are interested in attending, please register via e-mail to <christian.feldbacher-escamilla@hhu.de> until November 30, 2018.
**********
ORGANISATION
The events are organised by the DFG funded research group Inductive Metaphysics the goal of which is to establish how empirical sources and inductive forms of inference play a role in metaphysical research.
Organisers: Christian J. Feldbacher-Escamilla, Siegfried Jaag, Markus Schrenk, Gerhard Schurz
Website: <https://indmet.weebly.com/abduction-and-modelling-in-metaphysics.html>
Contact: <christian.feldbacher-escamilla@hhu.de>
Funding: German Research Foundation (DFG), research unit: Inductive Metaphysics FOR 2495
