Title: Empiricism and Modality: A New Semantics for First-order Modal Logic

Speaker: Wouter Cohen (Peking University)

Time: Oct. 27th (Tuesday) 15:10 - 18:00

Location: Teaching Building No.2 (二教) 411

Abstract:

In this presentation, I explain the basics of what I call 'similarity semantics' for first-order modal logic. This semantics takes its inspiration from a recent trend in empiricist epistemology of modality, namely to explain ordinary everyday possibility claims in terms of similarity relations between objects. I also relate this project to a general anti-metaphysical, Carnapian outlook on modality. (The paper on which this presentation is based is still work-in-progress.)