During the next three weeks, we will discuss material from Derek Ball’s book manuscript.

Abstract: These are two introductory chapters from a book manuscript I’m working on, entitled Definition and Dispute.  The first chapter introduces some main themes of the book, and the second develops the leading idea: that the best way of making sense of a wide range of disputes, including many philosophical disputes, is to adopt a view on which the meanings of our words (and the contents of our thoughts) are determined in the course of inquiry, but without change of meaning, so that our views at the end of an inquiry play a role in determining what we meant all along.  Chapter 2 defends the view by criticising a prominent alternative — the idea that such disputes are matters of “metalinguistic negotiation” — and developing a view of definition that makes sense of what is at issue in these disputes and how we argue.

The seminar will happen in Zoom. If you want to join this session, please e-mail me at si24@.