Mereology is the study of the relation between parts and their wholes.  In this seminar, we'll survey the literature on two mereological issues: the Problem of the One over the Many and the Problem of Material Constitution.  Along the way, we'll discuss the standard axioms of contemporary formal mereology.  We'll discuss methods of research for philosophy, including tricks for constructing objections and tips for developing original ideas.  We'll practice formalizing natural language arguments and "naturalizing" formal language arguments.  The main product of this course will be a substantial research paper.

Helpful Background: Introduction to Logic (PHL201) or Symbolic Logic (PHL320).

Course Texts: 

Syllabus [PDF]

Handouts

Find a sample critical review here [PDF] for Michael Rea's Material Constitution and the Trinity [PDF]

Online Readings

Andrew Bacon, A Primer on Formal Metaphysics [PDF]

Achille Varzi, Mereology


Michael C. Rea, The Problem of Material Constitution [PDF via JSTOR]


Thomas Hobbes, On Body [De Corpore], Part II Chapter 11 "The Same and the Different"

Peter T. Geach, Reference and Generality (Selections) [partial, via Google Books]

Allan Gibbard, Contingent Identity [PDF] [partial, via Google Books]

David Wiggins, On Being In the Same Place at the Same Time [PDF via JSTOR] [PDF]

Peter Unger, I Do Not Exist [partial, via Google Books]

Michael B. Burke, Dion and Theon: An Essentialist Solution to an Ancient Problem [PDF via JSTOR]

Matthew Kapstein, Mereological Considerations in Vasubandhu's "Proof of Idealism" [partial, via Google Books]

David Bastow, Self-Construction in Buddhism [partial, via Google Books]

Nyaya Sutra, selections from Book II

Arindam Chakrabarti, I Touch What I Saw [PDF via JSTOR]

Donald L.M. Baxter, Identity in the Loose and Popular Sense [PDF via JSTOR]

Roderick Chisholm, Parts as Essential to their Wholes [PDF]

Fazang, Huayan Treatise [PDF]