The course focuses on the metaphysics of the modalities, in particular on the notions of metaphysical necessity and metaphysical possibility. The first part of the course deals with the semantics of the possible worlds for the languages of modal logic. The second part of the course deals with the philosophical theories of necessity and possibility.
The course teached students the basics of modal logic and the semantics of the possible worlds so that they will be able to autonomously start the study of essays on the metaphysics of the modalities.
Lecture-style instruction
Part 1: First-order quantified modal logic
1 Introduction 2 The language of the first-order quantified logic 3 The semantics of the modal logic 4 The axioms and the formula Barcan (FB) 5 Models with variable domains 6 From variable domains to constant domains 7 The de dicto / de distinction. Part 2: Possible worlds: semantics and metaphysics
1 Introduction 2 Pure semantics and semantics of possible worlds 3 The problem of possibilities 4 Concretism 5 Abstractionism 6 Necessity 7 Analysis and reduction of modalities.
The bibliography will be provided to the students during the course. The entire bibliography will be downloadable from aulaweb. The teacher uses his own coursepack.
February 27, 2018
Students can choose between written test or oral exam
Office hours for student: Monday, h: 13-15
