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CfP topical collection of Synthese on "Anti-exceptionalism about logic", Deadline: 31 Oct 2020

Call for Papers

Topical Collection: Anti-Exceptionalism about Logic

Synthese

(deadline 31/10/2020)



Guest Editors: Filippo Ferrari (University of Padua), Ben Martin
(University of Bergen), Maria Paola Sforza Fogliani (School for Advanced
Studies IUSS Pavia)


Topical Collection Description:

The historical consensus seems to be that logic is somehow special. Whereas
empirical evidence is used to support theories within both the natural and
social sciences, logic answers solely to a priori evidence. Further, unlike
other areas of research that rely upon a priori evidence, such as
mathematics, logical evidence is basic. While we can assume the validity of
certain inferences in order to establish truths within mathematics and test
scientific theories, logicians cannot use results from mathematics or the
empirical sciences without seemingly begging the question. Further, unlike
theories in other domains, which are about particular objects (however
general these theories are), logical theories lack such content, and thus
are wholly formal. Additionally, unlike scientific theories, which describe
how the world is, logical theories do not merely describe some state of
affairs, such as how we do reason, but provide a normative theory, about
how we ought to reason. Anti-exceptionalism about logic (AEL) is the denial
of at least one of these traditionally exceptional properties of logic:
that it is purely formal, has normative force, and that logical evidence is
both foundational and a priori.



Our hope is that this Topical Collection advances the area of research,
concentrating particularly on four important themes:

Properties of Logic. AEL proposes that logic fails to possess a series of
properties that have traditionally been taken to make logic special, such
as its laws being formal and general, logical evidence being a priori and
foundational, and its theories having normative force regarding how we
ought to reason. This articulation of the position itself raises important
questions: i) What is the relationship between these properties in the
context of AEL? ii) Is it really the case that these properties have
prominently been assigned to logic and ? if so ? how should we understand
them, exactly? iii) Does one?s commitment to AEL commit one to other
important positions within the philosophy of logic (e.g. logical pluralism)?

Logical Methodology. One of the prominent claims by AEL is that the
methodology of logic is similar to the methodology of the sciences. Such an
account is often explained in terms of abductive criteria, where logical
theories are evaluated on their basis to accommodate some relevant data,
and possess certain theoretical virtues. However: i) What data is there for
logical theories to accommodate? ii) What theoretical virtues are logical
theories to possess? iii) Are scientific theories chosen by such abductive
criteria, as AEL proposes?

Metaphysics of Logic. Another important claim made by AEL is that the
subject matter of logic is similar, in some crucial respects, to that of
the sciences. How should we understand this claim? For example, is there a
particular subject matter in the sciences such as that logic could share in
this matter? Further, by proposing that logic has a subject matter similar
to the sciences, is AEL committed to taking on an ontology of logic?

Objections. While a significant number of papers have now been written
outlining AEL in different forms, little has been written on the challenges
facing the position. What are the significant problems facing different
versions of AEL in their rejection of these putative ?exceptional?
properties of logic?

Instructions for submission: in order to submit your paper to the topical
collection, please log in to the Synthese Editorial Manager following this
link:

https://www.editorialmanager.com/synt/default.aspx.

Once you are logged in, you'll be asked to specify the article type. Please
select the following option: T.C. : Anti-Exceptionalism about logic (you'll
find it near the end of the list). All the other steps should be standard
procedure.

The deadline for submission is 31st October 2020

For further information, please contact the guest editors using the
following email address: logicalantiexceptionalism@gmail.com

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