Logic List Mailing Archive
Two PhD student positions in Philosophy of Language/Mind, Leeds (U.K.), Deadline: 1 Mar 2013
Two ERC-funded PhD studentships in Philosophy at the University of Leeds
The School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science at Leeds is
offering two studentships for students commencing a full-time PhD in
Philosophy in October 2013. The students will form part of the ERC-funded
research project The nature of representation.
??our PhD project will be in the areas of Language or Mind, broadly
construed. A variety of projects in these areas may be suitable for
funding in connection with this project. Please feel free to contact the
project director, Prof. Robert Williams, for more information on this
opportunity.
email: J.R.G.Williams@leeds.ac.uk.
??ou should be willing to participate in project activities, including
regular meetings and workshops with project members. You will also be
expected to assist other members of the project team who will be
organizing these events.
Project details.
Mental representation - perception and cognition - unites humans and other
animals. Linguitic representation differentiates humans from other
animals.
But representation in either form is a phenomenon that cries out for
explanation. How does one thing-a volley of sensation, a pattern of
neurons firing in the head, or a sequence of sounds or written
marks-"stand for" or "represent" another? However we answer this question,
what are the means by which we find out about it? And for what purposes do
we need to appeal to representation in the first place?
The Nature of Representation is a five-year project, funded by the
European Research Council, on the metaphysics and epistemology of
representation. The project
is located at the University of Leeds under the direction of Robert
Williams (School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science). The
project team will include two postdoctoral researchers (2013-17) and two
PhD studentships (2013-16). Regular workshops will be held on project
themes.
Major project themes include:
- The explanatory role of representation. For what explanatory purposes do
we need to appeal to (mental or linguistic) representation?
- Grounding representation. Can we say in nonrepresentational terms what
the world must be like, in order for there to be representation?
- Representational media. How are the vehicles of representation (e.g.
words, sentences) to be individuated? Does mental content have such
vehicles?
- Knowing what's represented. How do we find out about what represents
what? Studentship Information
??he studentship is tenable for up to 3 years (full-time). Renewal of the
studentship each year is subject to satisfactory academic progress.
Applicants should normally have, or expect soon to be awarded, a Masters
degree in a relevant discipline. International students are eligible to
apply for this studentship.
The studentships will comprise of a maintenance allowance of £18,189 p.a.
In addition to these amounts, the project funding allows significant
further funding for approved research and travel expenses. Please note
that you will be liable to pay academic fees for the duration of your
course (in session 2012/13 the rate for UK/EU students was £3,828 p.a. and
the rate for international students in session 2013/14 will be £13,100).
The closing date for applications is 1st March 2013. You should also
arrange for three academic references to be sent to us by this date.
??pplications for the studentships should be made in accordance with the
standard procedure for applying to do a postgraduate research degree in
Philosophy at
Leeds. See
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/arts/info/125152/postgraduate/1987/10_how_to_apply-research_degrees
for complete instructions and requirements.
Please specify in your application that you wish to be considered for the
award.
Correspondence regarding the application procedure may be directed to
prhs_pgenquiries@leeds.ac.uk.
Some information about the positions are available here:
http://natureofrepresentation.wordpress.com/phd-projects/