Philosophy Speakers: Kathrin Koslicki (Alberta), “Form, Matter, Substance”

Social Sciences Building, Room 1253 About the Talk The following three central tenets are popular among neo-Aristotelians: (i) hylomorphism, viz., the doctrine that structured wholes are best analyzed as hylomorphic compounds, i.e., compounds of matter (hylē) and form (morphē or eidos); (ii) independence criteria of substancehood; and (iii) the desire to assign substance status to at least some hylomorphic compounds (e.g., living organisms). These three commitments, when taken together, appear to lead to the following conflict. Given the metaphysical complexity of hylomorphic compounds, one wonders whether these entities will not turn out to be ontologically dependent on, and hence potentially less fundamental than, other entities numerically distinct from them, viz., their form and possibly their matter as well. Such an outcome, however, would seem to jeopardize the inclusion of hylomorphic compounds among the substances. The question of how best to resolve the apparent conflict which arises from these commitments would certainly be of central interest to neo-Aristotelians who find themselves attracted to the three tenets identified above. In this paper, I will present what I take to be the most promising strategy for neo-Aristotelians who wish to resolve the apparent tension just noted in a way that is maximally consistent with their other commitments About the Speaker Kathrin Koslicki is Professor of Philosophy and Canada Research Chair in Epistemology and Metaphysics at the University of Alberta. She specializes in metaphysics, philosophy of language, and ancient philosophy. The author of numerous chapters and journal articles, her 2008 bookThe Structure of Objects (Oxford University Press) became available in paperback in 2010.

Location:

Social Sciences Building Room 1253

More information at http://www.ucalgary.ca/events/calendar/philosophy-speakers-kathrin-koslicki-alberta-form-matter-substance