Research
In this research seminar we examine some related issues in contemporary metaphysics. Currently these interests are focused around the identity, existence, and structure of objects.
- Mereology: Does classical mereology offer us the best way to think of part/whole structure, and if not, what non-standard mereologies might do better?
- Do objects exist contingently or temporally and, if so, what are the implications for identity?
- Causality: how do causal relations structure of the world?
- Is there anything that explains why an object is the object that it is? Does the existence of some objects ‘ground’ others? Do certain descriptions better reflect the structure of the world than others?
- What is metaphysical structure? Is it mind-independent or -dependent? Is it contingent or necessary?
- Abstract objects: What are the existence and identity conditions of abstract objects?
The IES Group meets during Arché semesters from 13:00 until 15:00 each Monday in Edgecliffe G03.
Principal investigator: Aaron Cotnoir
Co-investigator: Simon Prosser
Research students: Jarred Snodgrass, Savvas Ioannou, Travis Manuel, Patrik Hummel, Caroline Torpe Touborg