Topics in Semantics and Pragmatics: Vagueness  D.López de Sa

Language

English

Objetives

This course will present and discuss recent and ongoing philosophical debates on the characterization of vagueness, as well as the main rival theories about its nature.

Structure and content

1. The Phenomenon of Vagueness

2. Theories of Vagueness

3. Semantic Indecision

4. Epistemicism

5. Vagueness in Rebus

6. Contextualism

7. Psychological Views.

8. The Problem of the Many

9. Arguments from Vagueness in Metaphysics

10. Further Issues

Methodology

There will be 2.5 contact hours per week for 10 weeks. The initial sessions will be lead by the teacher. The rest will take the form of a reading and discussion research seminar, consisting of brief presentations by some student(s) of the reading(s) assigned for the class, followed by a discussion led by the teacher but with intense student participation.

Evaluation

Students will be asked to write a short research paper (3,000-6,000 words) on a topic related to the course, to be agreed with the teacher. The final grade will be based on the quality of the paper (65%) and on the quality of the students presentations and in-class participation (35%).

Basic Bibliography

(The specific readings assigned for the different sessions will be made available before the course starts.)

Keefe, Rosanna & Peter Smith (eds.), Vagueness: A Reader, MIT Press, 1997

Keefe, Rosanna: Theories of Vagueness, Cambridge University Press, 2000.

Williamson, Timothy: Vagueness, Routledge, 1994.