rapaport@cs.buffalo.EDU (William J. Rapaport) (10/16/87)
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO
BUFFALO LOGIC COLLOQUIUM
STEWART SHAPIRO
Philosophy and Mathematics, Ohio State University
and
Center for Philosophy of Science, University of Pittsburgh
SECOND-ORDER LOGIC AND FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS
This paper discusses the role of formal semantics in describing and
codifying practice. The case study is the issue of the various semantic
systems for second-order logic. It is argued that the debate is likely
to result in either a stand-off, with each side begging the central
question, or a regress. The issue of second-order logic is related to
the Wittgensteinian critique of rule-following. It is suggested, tenta-
tively, that the insistence on standard semantics, despite the possibil-
ity of Skolemite misinterpretation, is closely analogous to the
insistence that one is following a particular rule, despite the fact
that no finite amount of behavior excludes all alternatives. (The paper
is substantially self-contained. A beginning graduate course in logic
should suffice to follow it.)
Wednesday, October 28, 1987
4:00 P.M.
684 Baldy Hall, Amherst Campus
Future speakers:
John Case (SUNY Buffalo and University of Rochester)
Colin McLarty (Case Western Reserve University)
John Kearns (SUNY Buffalo)
For further information, contact John Corcoran, (716) 636-2438.