PHIL 309: Twentieth Century Analytic Philosophy

LARKIN: Spring 2003

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DATE:    3-18-03

 

I.                     Objectives

A.      Reorient Ourselves after spring break

B.       Discuss the formulation of the Verification Principle

C.       Lay out the Positivist’s Argument for the Elimination of Metaphysics

 

 

II.                   Discussion

The Verification Principle

 

III.                 Lecture:

A.      Formulating the Verification Principle

1.         Motivation for Principle

2.        In principle vs. in practice formulation

3.        Trouble with universal generalizations

4.        Trouble with Existential Generalizations

5.        Trouble with the notion of support

 

B.       Using the Verification Principle

1.        Argument Against Speculative Metaphysics

2.        Ethics and Theology

 

 

IV.                 Discussion:

Is Verification Principle Self-Defeating?

 

 

V.                   Next Time

A.      Topic: Logical Positivism

B.       Reading:   Ayer, “The Elimination of Metaphysics”

C.       Reading Questions: 

1.        What do the logical positivists and Kant have in common?  How do they differ?

2.        What is the verification principle?  Why/how do universal claims cause trouble for the principle, and how does Ayer deal with that problem?

3.        Explain a couple of different ways Ayer uses the verification principle to critique the problems of traditional philosophy?