Supervised directed readings and literature review in areas relevant to a student's research program.
Reading and discussion of recent work in the theory of knowledge that makes use of formal methods, including formal semantics for epistemic logic, and Bayesian accounts of degrees of belief and epistemic probability. We will read work of Timothy Williamson, David Christiansen, Adam Elga, James Pryor, among others.
An examination of the foundations of causal decision theory and of several challenges to causal decision theory that have been raised in the recent literature.
What is intersubjectivity? How is it to be distinguished from both the objective and the subjective? We will begin by addressing these constitutive questions and their ramifications. We will then go on to consider the significance of intersubjectivity more generally, including these issues: the idea and importance of second-person thought and a second-person perspective; the nature of the self and first-person thought; the conception of many minds and of psychological states; our notion of freedom; and the role of intersubjectivity in empirical psychology more generally. Readings will be drawn from both the Anglo-American and the Continental traditions. No previous acquaintance with the literature will be presupposed.
The various attempts to solve the problem of measurement in Quantum Mechanics. Emphasis on theories without a collapse of the wave-function, such as non-local hidden-variables theories and the many-worlds interpretation. Related topics such as self-measurement and Quantum Cosmology.
Current literature and discussion on evolution, paleontology, paleoanthropology and climate change
All matriculated graduate students are required to attend the seminar as long as they are in residence. No degree credit is granted. The seminar is the principal medium of communication among those with biomedical engineering interests within the University. Guest speakers from other institutions, Columbia faculty, and students within the Department who are advanced in their studies frequently offer sessions.
Prerequisites: the instructor's permission (for graduate students outside Philosophy). Prerequisite for all undergraduates:
PHIL V3353
.
An examination of contemporary theories of domination and oppression.
3, 6, 9, or 12 pts. A candidate for the Eng.Sc.D. degree must register for 12 points of doctoral research instruction. Registration for APAM E9800 may not be used to satisfy the minimum residence requirement for the degree.