The Quantified Argument Calculus, or Quarc, is a powerful formal logic system, first introduced in Ben-Yami’s “The Quantified Argument Calculus” (Review of Symbolic Logic 2014), based on work published over the preceding decade. It is closer in syntax to Natural Language than is the Predicate Calculus, sheds light on the logical role of some of Natural Language’s features which it incorporates (such as copular structure, converse relation terms and anaphora), and is also closer to Natural Language in the logical relations it validates. The system has recently been extended and applied by several authors ((Lanzet, RSL 2017), (Raab, History and Philosophy of Logic 2018), (Pavlovic & Gratzl, RSL 2019), and additional research is currently pursued.
In my talk I’ll introduce Quarc and describe the research carried out so far and directions for future research. I’ll explain how Quarc sheds light on the nature of quantification in the Predicate Calculus and (time permitting) on issues surrounding necessary existence.
There will be an additional meeting of the Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar on Thursday 12 March 2020, eighth week of Hilary Term, in the Lecture Room (rather than the Ryle Room) Radcliffe Humanities Building, Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6GG, at the usual time of 4.30-6.30 p.m.
Charles Parsons (Harvard) will give a talk on Evidence and the Hierarchy of Mathematical Theories. See the seminar webpage http://users.ox.ac.uk/~philmath/pomseminar.html for an abstract of Charles Parsons' talk when available, and the schedule of speakers in Trinity Term.
See the seminar webpage http://users.ox.ac.uk/~philmath/pomseminar.html for titles and abstracts of other speakers as available.
Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar Convenors: Daniel Isaacson and Volker Halbach
