Module #1 Introduction to Metaphysics of Language and Reality Overview of the course, exploring the intersection of language and reality, and the key questions well investigate
Module #2 The Nature of Reality:A Brief History of Metaphysics Survey of major metaphysical traditions, from ancient Greece to modern times, setting the stage for our inquiry
Module #3 Language as a Lens on Reality Examining how language influences our perception and understanding of reality, and vice versa
Module #4 The Relationship Between Words and Things Exploring the correspondence theory of truth, reference, and the limits of language
Module #5 The Power of Naming:How Language Shapes Reality Case studies on how language has shaped our understanding of reality, from Adams naming of animals to modern categorizations
Module #6 The Limits of Language:Silence, Ambiguity, and the Unknown Investigating the boundaries of language, including the role of silence, ambiguity, and the unsayable
Module #7 Truth and Reference:Theories and Challenges Delving into theories of truth, reference, and predication, including Tarskis truth theory and Kripkes modal logic
Module #8 Philosophy of Language:From Wittgenstein to Davidson Exploring key figures and ideas in the philosophy of language, including Wittgenstein, Davidson, and Grice
Module #9 The Metaphysics of Meaning:Compositionality and Context Examining the compositionality of meaning, the role of context, and the implications for our understanding of reality
Module #10 Modal Logic and the Nature of Possibility Introducing modal logic, exploring the metaphysics of possibility, necessity, and actuality
Module #11 Counterfactuals and the Nature of Reality Investigating the role of counterfactuals in understanding reality, including their relationship to modality and causation
Module #12 The Metaphysics of Fiction and Non-Existence Examining the nature of fictional entities, non-existent objects, and their relationship to reality
Module #13 Language and Time:Tense, Aspect, and Reality Exploring the relationship between language, time, and reality, including the metaphysics of tense and aspect
Module #14 The Social Construction of Reality Investigating the role of social construction in shaping our understanding of reality, including the influence of power and ideology
Module #15 The Reality of Abstract Objects Examining the metaphysics of abstract objects, including numbers, sets, and other mathematical entities
Module #16 Causal Language and the Nature of Causation Exploring the relationship between language, causation, and reality, including the metaphysics of causal statements
Module #17 Reference and Relativity:The Impact of Relativity on Language Investigating how Einsteins theory of relativity influenced our understanding of language, reference, and reality
Module #18 The Metaphysics of Information and Data Examining the nature of information, data, and their relationship to reality, including the role of digital representation
Module #19 Linguistic Relativity and the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis Exploring the relationship between language, thought, and reality, including the debate over linguistic relativity
Module #20 The Role of Metaphor in Shaping Reality Investigating the power of metaphor in shaping our understanding of reality, including its relationship to conceptual frameworks
Module #21 The Metaphysics of Categories:A Case Study in Ontology Examining the nature of categories, including the metaphysics of classification, ontology, and the limits of categorization
Module #22 The Reality of Time:A Debate in Metaphysics Engaging with the debate over the nature of time, including the metaphysics of presentism, eternalism, and other approaches
Module #23 The Metaphysics of Space and Place Investigating the nature of space and place, including the metaphysics of geometry, topology, and spatial reasoning
Module #24 The Intersection of Language, Reality, and Cognitive Science Exploring the relationship between language, reality, and cognitive science, including the role of embodiment and enactivism
Module #25 Course Wrap-Up & Conclusion Planning next steps in Metaphysics of Language and Reality career
