Socratic Society

The Socratic Society presents:

Troy Cross of Reed College will be speaking "On the Intractability of Philosophy"

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 : 5:30pm

Smith Memorial Student Union : 328

Abstract:

I will argue that one explanation for the intractability of philosophical problems is that: (i) the analytic-synthetic distinction is vague and (ii) some philosophical problems result from conflicting, borderline-analytic, folk-theoretic axioms. Supposing that analyticities cannot be false, given standard treatments of vagueness, philosophical questions turn out to be unanswerable because either they are indeterminate in truth value, or else they are unknowable in principle.

The Socratic Society of Portland State University is a venue for Philosophy faculty and philosophers from outside the University to present papers or speak on various topics of interest. Meetings for the 2011-12 academic year will be announced as they are scheduled.

Please check periodically for upcoming events, and if you are interested in presenting or participating with the Socratic Society at PSU, please contact Avram Hiller at ahiller@pdx.edu.

Thank you!