Truthmaking and Explanation


philipp.blum@philosophie.ch


Funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation ("Fundamentality and Perspectivality", 101115-135419), eidos, the Centre for Metaphysics at the University of Geneva, organises a graduate course consisting of five workshops. The aim of the workshops is to give Swiss philosophers the opportunity to discuss some issues of recent controversy with some of the best international philosophers in the field.

Students participating in the closely connected graduate seminar "How Things Are" are especially welcome to attend.

The workshops take place at the University of Geneva and are open to anyone interested. To faciliate organisation, please tell me what meals you want to attend at least one week in advance (see below).

The workshops are open to everyone. No registration fees.

Geneva, April 2 and 3. The conference starts on the morning of Saturday, the 2nd, and ends on the evening of Sunday, the 3rd of April.

Speakers: David Liggins, Peter Schulte.

Programme (click here for a print-out):

  • Friday evening (optional): Martin Pickavé, "A Medieval Debate about the Nature of Understanding" (room: B105, main university building
  • Friday dinner: we are meeting at 20h00 in front of the main university building Bastions.
  • Saturday (L 208, 2, rue de Candolle)
    • 10-10.30 Opening discussion: a map of the territory (animated by Philipp Keller)
    • 10.45-12.15: Philipp Keller, Truthmaking is Explanation by Things
    • lunch at the Remor, Place du Cirque 3 (0223281270)
    • 14-15.30: Raul Saucedo, Composition as Identity
    • 15.45-17.15: David Liggins, The Justification of Truthmaker Theory
    • 17.30-18.15: discussion: truthmaking and explanation (animated by Philipp Keller)
    • 18.30-20: drinks at the Café Livresse
    • 20 dinner at the St. Jean, 4 rue du Vieux-Billard (0223283444)
  • Sunday (L 208, 2, rue de Candolle)
    • 10-11.30: Peter Schulte, Troubles for Grounding Theories of Truthmaking
    • 11.45-12.45: discussion: truthmaking, parthood and entailment (animated by Philipp Keller)
    • lunch at the Rond-Point de Plainpalais (0223204795)
    • 14.30-16: Raul Saucedo, Fundamental Assignments (abstract below)
    • 16.15-17.30: round table / open discussion (animated by Philipp Keller)
    • 19 dinner at the Bain des Pâquis, quai du Mont-Blanc 34 (0227381616)

Readings: