Philosophy Research Seminar - Olly Spinney (University of Manchester)
| Dates: | 28 October 2020 |
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| Times: | 15:15 - 17:00 |
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| What is it: | Seminar |
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| Organiser: | School of Social Sciences |
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This year we are running all of our research seminars online using Zoom. If you would like to attend, and are not included on our events mailing list, please email Dr Stephen Ingram to request the Zoom meeting details.
Seminars will take place on Wednesdays, and will run from 15.15-17.00, with a 5 minute break between the talk and the Q&A. The Zoom meeting will be available to join from 15.00.
Title
- Facts and Objects in Wittgenstein's Tractatus
Abstract
- José Zalabardo (2015; 2019) has argued that Wittgenstein, in his Tractatus, subscribes to the view that facts are indivisible, rather than composite. Zalabardo claims that Wittgenstein’s adopting this view constitutes a response to the problem of unity. Instances in which Wittgenstein appears committed to the contrary view ought to be construed as ‘vulgar talk’ and, according to Zalabardo, exchanged for ‘learned thought’ (2015: 124). Translating vulgar talk into learned thought consists, on this position, in conceiving of the constituent objects of facts as features which they have in common with other facts, rather than independent ontological commitments. I shall argue that this interpretation of Wittgenstein’s position is mistaken. Facts permit of multiple complete analyses into features. Wittgenstein is clear, though, that propositions have ‘one and only one complete analysis’ (TLP: 3.25). I describe two different conceptions of analysis and claim that Zalabardo has fixed upon one at the expense of the other.
Travel and Contact Information
Find event
This event will run online - contact Stephen Ingram for details on accessing the Zoom meeting.
