Presentation by Edward (Ed) Witherspoon, Professor of Philosophy.

Logic is typically presented as a system of rules and guidelines for formulating and answering questions in philosophy – or indeed in any domain whatsoever. Some philosophers, for example, Rudolf Carnap and A.J. Ayer, develop a system of logic and apply it to traditional metaphysical questions like ‘What is Being?’ and ‘Does God exist?’: they claim that these questions are illogical, and that consequently all philosophizing on such matters is just empty verbiage. Against these critics of metaphysics, Martin Heidegger declares that logic is a stultifying obstacle to truly original thought, and that metaphysicians should be free to ignore the strictures of logical rules.

In this presentation, Witherspoon will attempt to adjudicate this dispute. It is tricky to assess arguments about what makes for an acceptable argument, but Witherspoon will suggest that, at the very least, Heidegger offers a serious challenge to any philosophy that wraps itself in the mantle of “logic.”

Refreshments provided. All are welcome.

Reception begins at 4 PM.  Lecture begins at 4:15 PM.