Enroll Today! Seats Available in Logic II and Paradoxes

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Keith Simmons

Students have two opportunities to study with Professor Keith Simmons in Spring 2025! Check out the descriptions below for PHIL 3214: Symbolic Logic II and PHIL 3298: Paradoxes. Interested? Sign up today in Student Admin or contact Dr. Simmons to request the syllabus. 

PHIL 3214: Symbolic Logic II

This is a course in modal logic, the logic of possibility and necessity. We will study propositional and quantified modal logic. We will study a variety of modal systems from both the semantic and the proof-theoretic points of view. We will also study the metalogic of these systems.

As time allows, we’ll go on to explore modal logic in three directions: (i) further topics in quantified modal logic, (ii) applications, and (iii) philosophical issues.

Our main text for the course is A New Introduction to Modal Logic, by G.E. Hughes and M.J. Cresswell (henceforth H&C).

The core of the course

  • Review of propositional logic.
  • The basic modal notions: L, M, validity, the modal game (H&C, Chapter 1).
  • The systems K, T and D (H&C, Chapter 2).
  • The systems S4, B, S5, Triv and Ver (H&C, Chapter 3).
  • Review of the predicate calculus (H&C, Chapter 13, pp.235-243).
  • The modal predicate calculus (H&C, Chapter 13, pp.243-255).

Further topics in quantified modal logic

  • Expanding domains   (H&C, Chapter 15).
  • Modality and existence   (H&C, Chapter 16).
  • Identity and descriptions   (H&C, Chapter 17).
  • Intensional objects    (H&C, Chapter 18).
  • Further issues: multiple indexing, counterpart theory (H&C, Chapter 19)

Applications

  • Possible world semantics in the philosophy of language.
  • Counterfactuals

Philosophical issues

  • The problem of interpreting quantified modal logic (‘quantifying in’).
  • The metaphysics of modality: the ontological status of possible worlds.
  • The interpretation of two-dimensional semantics.
  • The epistemology of modality: imagination, conceivability, and possibility.

 

PHIL 3298: Paradoxes

This is a Philosophy course about paradoxes. Paradoxes have been a driving force in Philosophy since the 5th Century B.C.E. They force us to rethink old ideas and conceptions. Plato and Aristotle famously said that Philosophy begins in wonder - and they had in mind the kind of deep puzzlement that paradoxes generate.

In this seminar, we will study a wide range of paradoxes: Zeno's paradoxes about space, time and motion, moral paradoxes, Sorites paradoxes about vagueness (such as the paradox of the heap), paradoxes of rationality (Newcomb's paradox and the Prisoner's dilemma), paradoxes of belief (including paradoxes of confirmation, and the surprise examination paradox), paradoxes about time travel, and logical paradoxes (Russell's paradox about classes and the Liar paradox about truth).

As we explore these paradoxes, we will wrestle with some central philosophical questions: What is the nature of space, time, and motion? Are there genuine moral dilemmas? Is the world a fully determinate place? What is it to act rationally? When is a belief justified? Are the foundations of mathematics secure? What is the nature of truth?

The paradoxes are not just important - they are fun too. They encourage us to think creatively, in new and surprising ways. In this seminar, you will be given the opportunity to tackle the paradoxes yourselves, through group discussions and frequent written assignments. Philosophy is best viewed as a practice, as something that one does. By actively engaging with the paradoxes, both orally and in your written work, you will develop the intellectual skills that make philosophical progress possible.

Interdisciplinary Workshop on Human Centered AI: How do we Connect?

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Interdisciplinary Workshop on Human Centered AI: How do we Connect?

 

January 13, 2024

8 am-12:15 pm US Eastern Standard Time/2 pm-6 pm Morocco Time

Register here

 

This half-day virtual workshop between the Université Internationale de Rabat and the University of Connecticut will bring computer scientists into conversation with political scientists, philosophers in dialogue with medical professionals. We believe that human-centered AI will only be possible when humans from a truly diverse array of perspectives, backgrounds, and disciplinary training are involved in designing and deploying these powerful tools.

Our workshop will cluster around three complementary themes:

 

8:15-9:15  am               

Panel 1) Interdisciplinary Work in AI: Challenges, Opportunities and Successes

Panelists will provide case studies of successful projects. What worked well? What are the obstacles to interdisciplinary collaboration, and how might we navigate them?

What do computer scientists need from humanists to better do their work? What are humanists missing/misunderstanding about AI development?

Panelists

Anke Finger, LCL and Digital Media and Design, UConn
Ihsane Hmamouchi, Rheumatology, Université Internationale de Rabat

Arash Zaghi ,Civil Engineering, UConn

 

9:20-10:20 am                              

Panel 2) Language and AI

How is bias introduced through exclusive language model training? How do we include more language diversity in AI training? How do chatbots alter our language?

Panelists

Kyle Booten, English, UConn

Reda Mokhtar El Ftouh, Law,  Université Internationale de Rabat
Adil Bahaj, Biomedicine and AI, Université Internationale de Rabat

 

10:25 am-11:40 pm

Panel 3) AI and the Social

How can we determine the ethics of AI? How can we understand and ameliorate AI’s role in spreading disinformation via social networks? How will AI affect how humans relate to one another?

Panelists

Ting-an Lin, Philosophy, UConn

Hakim Hafidi, Artificial Intelligence and Network Science, Université Internationale de Rabat

John Murphy, Digital Media and Design, UConn
Meriem Regragui, Law, Université Internationale de Rabat

 

11 :40-12 :15

Concluding Remarks

 

This event is the result of a partnership between UConn Global Affairs, UConn Humanities Institute and the Université Internationale de Rabat, Morocco.

 

William Lycan on Mind, Meaning, and Method

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Mitchell Green, Co-editor

Palgrave MacMillan, 2024

William Lycan is an internationally renowned American philosopher whose work since the late 1960s has been not only extensive but also influential, particularly in the areas of philosophy of mind, epistemology, philosophy of language, metaphysics, and more recently metaphilosophy. This contributed volume features high-quality contributions by prominent or up-and-coming philosophers who critically examine many aspects of Lycan’s work; it also contains an essay by Lycan responding to these contributions. In this way, not only is the importance of William Lycan’s work appreciated, it is also made accessible for further research. The book is also suitable for teaching purposes at universities.

Cover of William Lycan on Mind, Meaning, and Method.

Alex Stamson: “Kinda Radical” Podcast

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Check out graduate student Alex Stamson on the Kinda Radical podcast!

On this week's episode I am joined by philosopher, professor, social epistemologist, writer/author, traveler, and fantasy's biggest fan: Alex Stamson! Alex joins KR to discuss feminism in pop fiction, specifically in fantasy writing, film, and TV. We explore feminist theories in Game of Thrones such as self erasure, self sacrifice (or not), queerness in fantasy, and the interesting outcomes of assault for women characters. Alex also shares the meaning of world building in fantasy and how, when perpetuating stereotypes, it can cement prejudice. Finally, we talk about teaching gender studies and how that is received in the classroom.

Listen to the episode

Law, Politics, and Responding to Injustice

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Ting-an Lin, Contributor

Taylor and Francis, 2024

Chapter 9: “Acting Together to Address Structural Injustice: A Deliberative Mini-public Proposal”

Structural injustices exist when the impact of social structure exposes some groups of people to undeserved burdens while conferring unearned power to others. It has been argued that the responsibility for addressing structural injustices is shared among all the participants of the wrongful social structures and can only be discharged through collective action; however, the proper form of collective action does not happen easily. This chapter contributes to the discussions on addressing structural injustice in two steps. First, it categorizes three forms of practical challenges encountered by existing proposals for discharging shared responsibility for structural injustice. Second, it proposes an alternative proposal based on a type of political institution named deliberative mini-publics, which involves a diverse group of people convening to deliberate on issues of public concern and produce results that can be used as guidance for the greater public in responding to those issues. The deliberative mini-public proposal suggests establishing multiple deliberative mini-publics and making participation in the mini-publics a civic duty to address issues of structural injustice. This chapter argues that the deliberative mini-public proposal has the potential to complement existing proposals in mobilizing structural change and overcoming the identified practical challenges.

Cover of "Law, Politics, and Responding to Injustice."

Lewis Gordon: Tavis Smiley

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Check out Distinguished Professor Lewis Gordon’s recent media appearance on the Tavis Smiley podcast. Dr. Gordon has worked with Tavis Smiley in the past, discussing topics such as political extremism, black consciousness, and more. In this episode, Smiley and Gordon discuss racial justice and anti-blackness policies, centering the argument around how we can cultivate Black consciousness without fear.

 

Congratulations, Lewis!

Tracy Llanera: The Moral Agency of White Terror Wolves

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This Friday, December 13th, Associate Professor of Philosophy Tracy Llanera will be giving a talk at the event Digital Transformations: Identity, Gender and Affectivity hosted at Cardiff University. Along with Professor Llanera, Dr. Gen Eickers, Dr. Lucy Osler, Dr. Louise Richardson-Self and Dr. Francesca Sobande will also be speaking at the event.

 

Professor Tracy Llanera will be presenting The Moral Agency of White Terror Wolves, and you can read the abstract of her talk below:

The Moral Agency of White Terror Wolves
Tracy Llanera
This paper investigates the case of “white terror wolves,” or extremists responsible for violent lone attacks committed in the name of white supremacist ideology; examples include Anders Breivik (Norway), Dylann Storm Roof (USA), Brenton Tarrant (Australia), John Earnest (USA), Patrick Wood Crusius (USA), and Stephan Balliet (Germany). Government actors and the media often describe these perpetrators as being mentally ill or brainwashed—a perspective that risks misconstruing mental illness as the key driver for domestic terrorism instead of white extremism. This paper contests this perspective by ascribing moral agency to white terror wolves. Its analysis proceeds in three parts. First, it describes the role of white terror wolves in white extremism and the pernicious framing of their perpetrator identity as being mentally ill. Second, drawing on Alasdair MacIntyre’s moral philosophy, it outlines a conception of moral agency that is relevant to these cases. Third, it interrogates how white terror wolves exercise their moral agency to the point of moral failure.

 

While the in-person event will be held in Wales, you can join online at 9:30AM London (4:30AM EST), with the event ending at 4:30PM London (11:30AM EST).

 

Congratulations, Tracy!

Ting-an Lin: AI, Normality, and Oppressive Things

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Assistant Professor of Philosophy Ting-an Lin will be giving a public lecture a the Academic Sinica in Taiwan this Friday, December 13th. This talk is a part of their Beyond Gender: Diversity, Plurality, and Philosophy series. Professor Lin will also be joined by Assistant Professor Zhen-Rong Gan from Tunghai University and Hsiang-Yun Chen from Academia Sinica; they will be acting as the discussant and the moderator respectively.

 

Professor Ting-an Lin will be presenting her paper “AI, Normality, and Oppressive Things,” and you can read the abstract below:

While it is well-known that AI systems can be perniciously biased, much attention has been paid to instances where these biases are expressed blatantly. In this talk, I draw on the literature on the political impacts of artifacts to argue that many AI systems are not merely biased but materialize oppression. In other words, many AI systems should be recognized as oppressive things when they function to calcify oppressive normality, which treats the dominant groups as normal, whereas others as deviations. Adopting this framework emphasizes the crucial roles that physical components play in sustaining oppression and helps identify instances of AI systems that are oppressive in a subtler way. Using instances of generative AI systems as the central examples, I theorize three ways that AI systems might function to calcify oppressive normality—through their content, their performance, and their style. Since the oppressiveness of oppressive things is a matter of degree, I further analyze three contributing factors that make the oppressive impacts of AI systems especially concerning. I end by discussing the limitations of existing measures and urge the exploration of more transformative remedies.

 

Congratulations, Ting!

 

Lewis Gordon: Londis Lectureship Speaker

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On November 21st, Distinguished Professor Lewis Gordon presented his paper Freedom Relished, Freedom Feared for the James J. Londis and Family Lecture. Held at the 2024 Society of Adventist Philosophers conference, Professor Gordon speaks about the responsibility that comes with freedom, and that we must exercise our right to choice, despite the fear or insecurity that may accompany it. Gordon also suggests that in order to maintain a healthy society, we must communicate with one another despite disagreements: we need to “[develop] ways of living together on this every shrinking planet.”

 

To read the full summary article on the lecture, please see the Spectrum website.