Spring 2014
Instructor: Agustín Rayo (arayo@mit.edu)
Lectures: MW 1-2pm, room 4-231
[Short URL of this site: <goo.gl/Gk0vi7>]
7. Orderings and the Higher Infinite 9. Computability / Gödel’s Theorem 10. Russell’s Paradox (Damien Rochford) |
In this class we will study a cluster of puzzles, paradoxes and intellectual wonders—from the higher infinite to Godel's Theorem—and discuss their philosophical implications. The class aims to be an introduction to the highlights of the more technical side of philosophy.
Instructor/TAs | Recitation Date and Time | Recitation Room Number | Office Hours | Office Room Number |
Nilanjan Das | Friday, 10am | 26-168 | Thurs., 2-3 | 32-D927 |
Nilanjan Das | Friday, 11am | 26-168 | Thurs., 2-3 | 32-D927 |
Rose Lenehan | Friday, 10am | 56-154 | Thurs., 12:30-1:30 | 32-D938 |
Agustin Rayo | - | - | by appt. | 32-D932 |
Kevin Richardson | Friday, 12pm | 26-168 | by appt | 32-D928 |
There is one required textbook:
Other readings will be available on Stellar.
The class will be graded as follows:
Problem sets will be linked to from the Class Schedule.
If there are N assignments in class, we will only take into account your (N-1) best scores. Problem sets are due most Fridays by 10am, and must be uploaded onto Stellar. With the exception of extraordinary circumstances— typically involving a medical problem—late assignments will not be accepted.
Late assignments will not be accepted. (I just thought you might have missed that from the previous paragraph.)
It is okay to discuss problem-sets with other students taking the class, and to consult published materials. But each student must complete the problem-set on his or her own.
The end-of-term assignment will due on Wednesday May 14 by 1:05 pm, and will be posted by Wednesday May 7.
Although individual consultation of published materials is okay, discussing the end-of-term assignment before the due-date with anyone—whether or not they are taking the class—is strictly prohibited. All work on the assignment must be the student's own.
Regrading of Assignments
If you feel like you got the wrong grade on your assignment and you’re not able to sort things out with your TA, you’re welcome to send it to me for regrading. Please keep in mind, however, that this can cause your grade to go down rather than up. I am not as tenderhearted as some of my TAs.
Any suspicion of plagiarism or academic dishonesty will be aggressively pursued. This is no joke: please consult MIT's Handbook on Academic Integrity.
It is okay to use laptops and other electronic devices in class, as long as they are being used for class-related purposes.
Lecture: Wed Feb 05
NO CLASS: Fri Feb 07
[No need to read anything in advance. Just show up!]
Lecture: Mon Feb 10
Lecture: Wed Feb 12
Section: Fri Feb 14
Reading: Lewis, ‘The Paradoxes of Time Travel’
[Lecture Notes] [Problem Set 1 due on Fri Feb 14, by 10am.]
Lecture: Tue Feb 18 [Guest Lecturer: Alan Guth]
Lecture: Wed Feb 19
Section: Fri Feb 21
[Lecture Notes] [Problem Set 2, due on Fri Feb 21, by 10am.]
Lecture: Mon Feb 24
Lecture: Wed Feb 26
Section: Fri Feb 28
[Lecture Notes] [Problem Set 3, due on Fri Feb 28, by 10am.]
Lecture: Mon Mar 3
Lecture: Wed Mar 5
Section: Fri Mar 7
[Lecture Notes] [Problem Set 4, due on Fri Mar 7, by 10am.]
Lecture: Mon Mar 10
Lecture: Wed Mar 12
Section: Fri Mar 14
Reading: chapter 2 of Rucker’s Infinity and the Mind
Optional Reading: chapter 4 of Drake and Singh's Intermediate Set Theory.
[Lecture Notes] [Problem Set 5, due on Fri Mar 14, by 10am.]
Lecture: Mon Mar 17
Lecture: Wed Mar 19 [Guest lecturer: Steve Yablo]
Section: Fri Mar 21
[Lecture Notes] [Problem Set 6, due on Fri Mar 21, by 10am.]
Lecture: Mon Mar 31
Lecture: Wed Apr 2
Section: Fri Apr 4
Recommended Reading: Rucker: Excursion 1.
Optional Reading: chapter 4 of Drake and Singh's Intermediate Set Theory.
[Lecture Notes] [Problem Set 7, due on Fri Apr 4, by 10am.]
Lecture: Mon Apr 7
Lecture: Wed Apr 9
Section: Fri Apr 11
[Lecture Notes] [No problem set due this week.]
Lecture: Mon Apr 14 [Guest Lecturer: Scott Aaronson]
Lecture: Wed Apr 16
Section: Fri Apr 18
[Lecture Notes] [Problem Set 8, due on Fri Apr 18, by 10am]
NO CLASS: Mon Apr 21
TBA (Agustin away): Wed Apr 23
Section: Fri Apr 25
[Lecture Notes] [Bonus Problem Set, due Fri Apr 25, by 10am]
Lecture: Mon Apr 28
Lecture: Wed Apr 30
Section: Fri May 2
[Lecture Notes] [Problem Set 9, due Fri May 2, by 10am]
Lecture: Mon May 5
Lecture: Wed May 7
Section: Fri May 9
[Lecture Notes] [Problem Set 10, due Fri May 9, by 10am]
Lecture: Mon May 12
Class Cancelled: Wed May 14
Released: Wed May 7, 8:00am. Due: Wed May 14, by 1:05pm.