PHIL 309: Twentieth Century Analytic Philosophy

LARKIN: Spring 2003

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DATE: 3-20-03

I. Objectives

A. Discuss the derivation and formulation of the Verification Principle

B. Discuss the Positivist’s Account of the Truths of Math and Logic

II. Discussion

Review the derivation and formulation of the Verification Principle

III. Lecture:

A. The Problem of the Truths of Math and Logic

1. The Dilemma

2. Positivist Response

B. The Problem of the Logical Status of the Empiricist Criterion of Meaning

1. The Worry—is the principle self-defeating?

2. Possible Responses

a. Empirical Claim

b. Tautology

c. Prescription

d. Precisification

IV. Next Time

A. Topic: Carnap and Logical Positivism

B. Reading: Carnap, “Empiricism, Semantics, and Ontology”

C. Reading Questions:

1. What is the problem of abstract entities?

2. Explain Carnap’s distinction between internal and external questions. How are these different types of questions answered?

3. In what way is Carnap a logical positivist? Are there any important divergences between Carnap and Ayer?