Topics in Metaphysics and Epistemology (357-0-20)

Topic

Conventions, norms, and other social facts

Instructors

Peter Dwight van Elswyk

Meeting Info

Fisk Hall 114: Mon, Wed 9:30AM - 10:50AM

Overview of class

Metaphysics is the study of what there is, and what entities are like. By extension, social metaphysics is the study of what social entities there are and what they are like. This class in social metaphysics will focus on questions related to the behavioral regularities that hold across members of a group. In particular, we will closely consider the differences between social kinds, social norms, conventions, and other kinds of social facts. To explore these topics, we will take an interdisciplinary path. We will anchor the conversation in philosophy but weave in and out of the social and cognitive sciences while considering how and why different regularities seem to hold. In addition to understanding how regularities obtain, we will also focus on how to change such regularities when they are harmful or oppressive to members of a group.

Class Materials (Required)

All class materials will be available on Canvas at NO cost to the student.

Class Notes

Final Paper

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Pre-registration -- Reserved for Philosophy students.
Add Consent: Department Consent Required