30-31 May 2008
Zuerich, Switzerland
The Philosophische Seminar University of Zurich (chair of Prof. Dr. Hans-Johann Glock) in conjunction with the Zentrum fuer Geschichte des Wissens (ETH Zurich) is organizing the 3. Zurich Workshop on Concepts with the title Concepts and Abilities (30.-31.05. 2008) Time: Friday 30th May (14:00) to Saturday 31st May (ca. 15:30). Location: ETH Zuerich, "Zentrum Geschichte des Wissens", Rmistr. 36, 8001 Zuerich, Switzerland (Seminarraum) Speakers: Maria Alvarez, University of Southampton, UK Anthony Kenny, Oxford University, UK Georges Rey, University of Maryland, USA Sebastian Rödl, Universität Basel, CH Katia Saporiti, Universität Zürich, CH Description: From Aristotle through Aquinas and Kant to Wittgenstein, Ryle and Chomsky, abilities, capacities and dispositions have played a central role in our understanding of mind and language. This goes in particular for conceptual thought. Some contemporaries (e.g. Geach) identify concepts with abilities. Others (e.g. Peacocke) insist that at any rate the possession of concepts is an ability or disposition. Finally, some outspoken representationalists like Fodor deplore even this more modest position as a ‘pragmatist’ conspiracy which prevents philos ophy and cognitive science from doing justice to mental representation and causation. The workshop will address historical and substantive aspects of the relation between concepts, conceptual thought and abilities. Questions to be discussed include: Can concepts be identified with abilities? If so, can this be reconciled with the idea of that concepts as are mental representations or components of propositions? Is concept-possession an ability? If so, an ability for what? Should we distinguish between abilities and dispositions? What is the connection between conceptual capacities, mental representations and the brain? Further information: http://www.uzh.ch/philosophie/concepts Fee (except UZH & ETH): payable at beginning of workshop CHF 15.00 Language: English Obligatory registration: ray@philos.uzh.ch