The Philosophical Society International Weekend – 2025 " What, if anything, is Truth?” 10-11 May 2025 – Rome, Italy Booking is now open. Please use the event's booking form to book a place. Please note that there are only 25 spaces available for in person attendance. There is no limit on Zoom attendance, of course. The event topic is “What, if anything, is Truth?”. The problem of truth has been discussed by philosophers since Classical Antiquity, but it still remains at the centre of extensive debates in the 21st century. Even though apparently simple, the questions around truth continue to generate a wide range of controversies and paradoxes extending beyond the realm of metaphysics into logic, linguistics and science. Seven speakers will share their presentations concerning this theme during the event allowing time after each for questions. On Sunday, a panel discussion will also be held to allow further questioning and debate. Below you will find the presentations abstracts, by family names alphabetical order, as the actual schedule is yet to be defined, followed by all the details concerning location, transport and some recommendations for visiting Rome. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Suggested Readings Aquinas, T. (1920) Summa Theologica, Prima Pars, Question 16. Available at: https://www.newadvent.org/summa/1016.htm (Accessed 25 October 2024). Blackburn, S. (2005). Truth: a guide for the perplexed. London: Penguin. Boghossian, P. (2011) ‘Objectivity & Relativity’ in Bernecker, S. and Pritchard, D.H. (ed.) The Routledge Companion to Epistemology. New York, USA: Routledge. Davidson, D. (1984) Inquiries into Truth and Interpretation. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Davidson, D. (1990) “The Structure and Content of Truth”, The Journal of Philosophy, 87 (1990), pp. 279-328. Glanzberg, M. (2018) “Truth”, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy [online]. Available at: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/truth/ (Accessed: 1 October 2024). Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (n.d.) “Truth”, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy [online]. Available at: https://iep.utm.edu/truth/ (Accessed: 1 October 2024). Horwich, P. (1990) Truth. Oxford: Basil Blackwell Ltd. Kirkham, R. (1992) Theories of Truth: A Critical Introduction. Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: MIT Press. Lynch, M. (2005) True to Life: Why Truth Matters. Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: MIT Press. O’Grady, P. (2015). Relativism. London: Routledge. Plato, Republic Book 3, in Plato in Twelve Volumes. Vols. 5 & 6 translated by Paul Shorey. Cambridge, USA, Harvard Press University. Available at: https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0168%3Abook%3D3 (Accessed 25 October 2024). Wiles, A.M. (2009) "Plato on Truth and Falsehood", The Society for Ancient Greek Philosophy Newsletter 11-27. Available at: https://orb.binghamton.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1370&context=sagp (Accessed 25 October 2024). PRESENTATIONS & SPEAKERS BIOGRAFIES
Edgar ter Danielyan Insights from Alfred Tarski's semantic theory of truth This talk will introduce and discuss the concept of truth focusing on Alfred Tarski’s seminal contribution through his formal definition of truth. Tarski’s approach, known as the “semantic theory of truth,” holds that a statement is true if it corresponds to reality, thus giving rise to the formula “‘P’ is true if and only if P.” By introducing a meta-language to discuss the truth of statements in a formal system, Tarski circumvented self-referential paradoxes, such as the liar paradox, which undermine truth values of statements in natural languages. The talk will not assume any Edgar ter Danielyan holds a First in Philosophy and Theology from Heythrop College, University of London, a research MA in Philosophy from the University of Buckingham (where he studied under the late Prof. Sir Roger Scruton), a Chartered Fellowship in Computing, and the Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies with Distinction from the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales. His work in the philosophy of religion has been published in the Analysis and Heythrop journals, and he has delivered papers on topics in the philosophy of religion at the universities of Oxford and Birmingham. He is a visiting lecturer in philosophy at the City Literary Institute (City Lit). Barry King TESTS FOR TRUTH IN CURRICULUM THEORY In the 1960s, philosophers of education confronted a novel epistemological problem concerning what should be taught in schools. They recognised that knowledge was ‘exploding’, creating some 400 different academic disciplines, thereby raising the question of how there could be a curriculum that is both common for all students and incorporates all disciplines. From this there developed the view that it would be necessary to create a reductionist theory of knowledge. A leader in this field was Professor Paul Hirst, who argued for seven ‘forms of knowledge’ in which all disciplines could be accommodated. To achieve this reductionist endeavour, it would be necessary to distinguish between the seven forms, which would be done chiefly through identifying categorical core concepts and distinctive tests for truth. This paper will deal particularly with whether there might be distinctive truth tests that could delineate seven forms of knowledge. More widely, consideration will be given to whether there can be a plurality of truth procedures.
Barry studied PPE at Oxford 1964-67. He then taught economics and politics in state schools before becoming one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools, working subsequently as a freelance education consultant and inspector. His interest in philosophy was particularly kindled while studying educational philosophy at the Cambridge Institute 1975-76. He contributes to philosophy groups in Bournemouth and occasionally to Oxford PhilSoc, catching up with many of the philosophy books he should have read but somehow didn’t! Teresa Macey-Dare Working title: Truth needs values: exploring Du Bois’ truth-seeking attitude as an alternative to a value-free ideal for science Abstract: The ‘value-free ideal’ (VFI) holds that science should be carried out in accordance only with so-called epistemic values so as to maintain the objectivity of its methods and conclusions. Such has been the guiding principle for scientific enquiry explicitly since the 20th Century, and implicitly since the Enlightenment. Yet, as Heather Douglas rightly draws attention to, science cannot be separated from society; this opens the door to criticisms of both the possibility and permissibility of the VFI. The question then is, what alternative ideal pays due though measured consideration to both the epistemic and non-epistemic values that good science requires? This is where, I argue, the ‘truth-seeking attitude’ (TSA) employed by W.E.B. Du Bois comes in. Using his uniquely liminal position as an academic and member of African American population in Philadelphia (the subject of his sociological research), Du Bois parallels the aim of the natural sciences: generating generalisable knowledge through rigorous empirical research, and meanwhile reappropriates and democratises the concept of truth. I contend that when we understand the TSA in terms of primary truth seeking though not purely truth seeking, it is not only wholly separate from the VFI, but offers itself as suitable replacement insofar as it accounts for epistemic and non-epistemic values in a warranted balance. This interpretation follows from Du Bois own presentation of his work, resting, I contend, in part on an intersubjective notion of truth that coheres with his pragmatist commitments and mediate aims of social reform. Understood as such, the TSA appears to speak to modern-day feminist critiques in the philosophy of science – offering an intricate and compelling proto-response to the debate surrounding the role of values. Teresa Macey-Dare studied Philosophy at UCL, and is now in her second year of her MA in 'Mind and Brain' (Philosophy, Psychology and Neuroscience) at Humboldt University Berlin, where she is specialising in the philosophy of mind. Her other philosophical interests include: ancient philosophy, aesthetics, applied ethics, philosophy of science and the philosophy of theatre. Discovering Oxford Philsoc through her old philosophy teacher, Teresa is excited to be a new (and hopefully longstanding) member. Massimo Passamonti Truth in the Machine: AI between Platonic and Ramseyan Truth Plato’s allegory of the cave makes two claims: an epistemological claim, asserting that perception is limited and deceptive, and an ontological claim, suggesting that reality is multi-layered, with deeper, fundamental truths existing beyond appearances. Frank Ramsey’s theory of truth, in contrast, takes a pragmatic and deflationary approach. Ramsey argues that truth is not an abstract or metaphysical property but is grounded in practical utility and coherence within a linguistic or systemic framework. While Plato seeks the universal and eternal truths beyond human perception, Ramsey’s theory highlights the contingent and pragmatic dimensions of truth as it operates in practice. I argue that the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) brings renewed relevance to both Plato's and Ramsey’s perspectives. AI, through its ability to construct world models, generates statistical representations of reality. The question is: are the platonic representations reflective of reality? Or are they closer to Ramsey’s notion of truth, where the utility of the representation takes precedence over any metaphysical claim? To answer this question, I will first draw from the paper ‘Platonic Representation Hypothesis’ in which the authors argue that AI constructs abstractions akin to how humans perceive shadows of platonic true forms. Interestingly, different AI models converge to similar representations, suggesting they detect the same structural truths of reality. I conclude with a thought-provoking question: AI systems, unlike humans or animals, offer a unique opportunity to examine another agent’s representation of truth. By “opening” these systems, we can analyse how they process inputs and form realities. This allows us to explore the mechanisms underlying AI's knowledge and their representation of universal truths—whether these truths are Platonic, universal, and eternal, or Ramseyan, pragmatic, and contingent. But are we, humans, capable of understanding AI truths? Massimo Passamonti is a professional whose career spans finance, science, artificial intelligence, and philosophy. A nuclear engineering graduate, he began his career at CERN in Geneva. After transitioning to finance in 2005, he co-founded a fintech company serving wealth managers in 2014 and was appointed CEO in 2020.
Massimo's interests lie at the intersection of philosophy and artificial intelligence. He advocates for a philosophical renaissance to better understand the complexities of AI. He emphasises the role of philosophical frameworks in understanding AI's implications and societal impact. He believes that traditional philosophical disciplines, particularly epistemology, are becoming increasingly vital as we grapple with AI's transformative effects. Massimo envisions philosophy as pivotal in addressing existential questions raised by AI, such as defining agency, exploring the boundaries of intelligence, and examining the evolving relationship between humans and machines. He calls for philosophy to reclaim its role as a guiding force in shaping humanity’s understanding of technological development. Adrian Pilkington POETIC TRUTH Abstract This paper discusses claims concerning poetic truth; it argues for a broader notion of truth than that standardly accepted by philosophical accounts that focus on propositional truth. I argue that (certain kinds of) poems, while they might express propositional truths incidentally, essentially aspire to express and communicate what is non-propositional, to respond to ‘the call and attraction of what is not in the dictionary’ (Italo Calvino). Poetic effects and poetic truth could, and should, be discussed in the context of the broader notion of truth proposed by Heidegger, and developed by Scruton. I say something about how that broader notion may be characterised. I differ from the way that Scruton develops Heidegger’s proposal mainly through my focus on the notion of attitudinal qualia. The reference here is not to the relatively straightforward emotional qualia, as characterised by Rey, but to what it is like to have certain attitudes (paradigmatically, love). Such qualia are potentially far more powerful and fine-grained; they are also far richer and more interesting in terms of the metaphysical assumptions they give rise to and in terms of how they suggest answers to the question: What is truth? To illustrate particular points in the argument I will make reference to two widely anthologised twentieth century poems: Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost and Churchgoing by Philip Larkin. Bibliography Calvino, I (1997) The Literature Machine Eliot, TS (1964) The Use of Poetry and the Use of Criticism Fodor, J (2000) The Mind Doesn’t Work That Way. Heidegger, M (2013) Origin of the Work of Art in Poetry, Language, Thought Heidegger, M (2013) The Essence of Truth Rey, G. (1980) Functionalism and the Emotions Scruton, R (2015) Poetry and Truth
Adrian Pilkington studied English Literature for a BA at Hull University, studied for a PhD in the Linguistics Department at UCL and did an MA in Philosophy at the University of Buckingham. The PhD was in the area of pragmatics theory and focussed on poetic metaphor and poetic effects more generally. The MA thesis was on the philosophy of poetry. Apart from the common theme running through these degrees (literary style and the philosophy of poetry), during his research he also developed interests in the philosophy of language and philosophy of mind. He has worked and lived mainly abroad, having taught in Italy (L’Aquila), the Soviet Union (Yerevan and Moscow), Spain (Basque Country) and France (Paris), as well as in several universities in the UK, both in English and Linguistics departments. Safwan Zabalawi The Concept of “the Undeniable Truth” in Eastern Philosophy While Greek philosophy started with the question “What is Reality”, seeking the truth in observed phenomena, a similar question was formed by Eastern philosophy: “What is the Truth of life?”. But while the word “reality” is usually associated with observing the external environment, Eastern philosophy’s focus was on the internal reality, seeking an answer to the problem of suffering. The following presents the main points in Eastern philosophy’s view on the concept of Truth. The Two Kinds of Truths Eastern philosophy distinguishes between 2 kinds of truths:
The concept of the Undeniable Truth What is the criterion to judge a certain observation as ultimate truth? The criterion is for that observation to be valid at all times and agreed upon by all people. This can be the case only when such truth is experienced, physically and mentally by all people, becoming then undeniable (to any person): 1/ Impermanence: All things and phenomena undergo change. We all experienced this “truth of continual change”, body and mind, since birth. So, the dynamism of life is undeniable. 2/ Interconnectedness: All what exists is interconnected and dependent on other existences through relationships. Nothing can exist in isolation. 3/ Causality (the bond between Cause and Effect): The world we live in is not chaotic: it manifests a certain order or laws (of nature) and patterns (in relationships). We all experienced the truth that action leads to consequences. The Law of Cause & Effect is what science depends on in explaining the dynamism of natural phenomena. In the mental field of relationships too, we all know that causes of actions create consequences. Awakening to the 3 truths will lead to a harmonious existence in daily life. Safwan Zabalawi was born in Damascus, Syria (1947), studied in Poland electronics engineering (1973) and migrated to Australia (1983). During his work as an Information Officer in the State Library in Sydney, he was introduced to a vast collection of books on philosophy, which he felt intimidating and beyond comprehension. This impression eased a little after joining three online courses on philosophy, becoming also a member of the Philosophical Society (2011) and has since contributed to the Philosophical Review through publishing 16 articles. The author has been studying Eastern Philosophy for the past 40 years. Recently, the author published an e-book in Arabic entitled “The Humanistic Meaning of the Lotus Flower” www.shamslotus.info pertaining to the spiritual interpretation of the flower shared by various cultures, and to the philosophical teaching that carries its name: the teaching of Lotus Sutra. Profile: https://darshams.info/darshams/#/ The Event Where: Best Western – Globus Hotel, Viale Ippocrate, 119 - 00161 - Roma (RM) Telephone: +39 06 4457001; E-mail: info@globushotel.com Website: https://www.globushotel.com/ The hotel is 15 minutes from Roma Termini Train Station, where the metro A line stops, and it’s 5 minutes from Policlinico, metro station on the B line. When: Saturday the 10th 2pm – 6 pm & Sunday the 11th 9.00 am – 1 pm (time may vary slightly according to final program of speakers, to be shared closer to the date) Attendees need to arrange independently their accommodation and travel. We will organize an event dinner for Saturday night, to be booked together with the event and an informal one for Friday evening, coordinated separately. Both locations are still be confirmed and will be communicated closer to the event date. ACCOMMODATION Best Western – Globus Hotel This may be booked:
There are many hotels close by, below just a few examples with similar prices
Or if you prefer less expensive solutions, you might prefer to choose hotels further from the city centre, but connected via the metro lines (I’ll recommend to use www.trivago.com to look them up) or opt for Airbnb; if you look for “Stazione Termini Roma, Roma” you’ll find many available offers. TRAVEL (from the UK)
Rome has two airports: Currently a part of the line between Paris and Milan is closed, so travel time is much longer; works should be completed before the end of 2024. For now, timetables are only available till January/February, projecting almost a two-day journey with 3 changes: London to Paris, Paris to Zurich, Zurich to Milan, Milan to Rome. On this route, Zurich may be an interesting intermediate stop: it’s a very nice city on the lake and with great museums; if any advice needed for accommodation or sightseeing, please let me know. The CITY Public Transport: the best and cheapest way to move around in Rome, beside walking, is the underground and urban railway, reliable and fast, connecting all main points of interest (see map attached). This is the website of the public transport company: ATAC S.p.A. | Azienda per la mobilità https://www.atac.roma.it/en; tickets may be purchased from vending machines inside the stations. There are different methods available, from single ticket, €1.5, valid for 100 minutes, to carnet or daily tickets (e.g. 24h for €7), quite convenient if you plan to make more than 4/5 stops in a day https://www.atac.roma.it/en/tickets-and-passes Points of interests: it goes without saying that there’s plenty to see in Rome 😊 so just a few suggestions: if any questions or help needed to find details on others or how to reach them, please do not hesitate to ask: Close to the event location:
To book in advance
No advance booking needed:
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