8-12 August 2011
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Workshop Announcement and Call for Papers Logical Constants August 8-12, 2011, Ljubljana, Slovenia part of ESSLLI 2011 Invited Speakers Johan van Benthem (ILLC & Stanford University) Kosta Do?en (Mathematical Institute, Belgrade) Solomon Feferman (Stanford University) Greg Restall (University of Melbourne) Gila Sher (UC San Diego) Organizers Denis Bonnay (Paris Ouest University) Dag Westersthl (University of Gothenburg) Co-organizer Uli Sauerland (Zentrum fr Allgemeine Sprachwissenschaft, Berlin) Workshop Description All logical systems make a distinction between logical and non-logical symbols, and the meaning of the former needs to be specified in detail and in effect defines the logic in question. This distinction is usually stipulated (though it can be argued that natural languages make a similar distinction), but the issue of the grounds for it, i.e. of what characterizes a logical constant, is a central question in logic, cutting across the huge variety of logical systems existing today. This question has been tackled from various sides, ranging from historical investigation to formal criteria spelled out within different logical frameworks. The main aim of the workshop is to gain a better understanding of the problem by bringing together complementary approaches coming from various fields: *** Logic. Given a particular logical framework (e.g. semantic, proof-theoretic, game-theoretic), is there a systematic way to characterize the class of logical constants within that framework? Is it possible to provide an integrated account covering the various frameworks? *** Philosophy of Logic and Mathematics. What are the relevant conceptual analyses of logicality? What is the philosophical significance of the distinction for the philosophy of logic and philosophy of mathematics, e.g. regarding the success or failure of logicism? *** Linguistics. Is there a linguistic or psycholinguistic natural kind corresponding to logical words? *** History of Logic. How did the question emerge? What are the relationships between historical forerunners of the distinction (such as the distinction between categoremata and syncategoremata) and the contemporary idea of logical constants? The workshop is organized as part of ESSLLI, August 1-12, 2011 (http://esslli2011.ijs.si/). Participants are required to register at ESSLLI 2011, and can attend any other ESSLLI courses and workshops of their choice. Call for Papers Submissions should consist of anonymous abstracts of no more than 3 pages, single-spaced, 12pt, including title and references (preferred formats for submission are pdf and Word). Abstracts should be sent electronically to: logicalconstants2011 AT gmail DOT com Authors should include their name, the title of the paper, and contact information in the body of the email. Abstracts will be reviewed by the following: Program committee for submitted papers Johan van Benthem (ILLC & Stanford University) Denis Bonnay (Paris Ouest University) Greg Restall (University of Melbourne) Gila Sher (UC San Diego) Benjamin Spector (Institut Jean Nicod) Dag Westersthl (University of Gothenburg) Dates Deadline for submission: Feb 15 2011. Notification to authors: March 15 2011. Conference Website http://lumiere.ens.fr/~dbonnay/files/conference/logicalconstants.htm Supported by *** European Science Foundation (ESF) *** The Swedish Research Council *** ESSLLI 2011