Postgraduate "Work In Progress" Seminar
Postgraduate Work-In-Progress SeminarA weekly seminar for Philosophy postgraduates to present their in-progress work, followed by a well-spirited trip to the pub. OverviewThe WIP provides a risk-free and supportive space for postgraduates to present their work and receive feedback from other graduates and faculty.
Attendance optional but highly recommended. All postgraduates are welcome to present or attend -- whether MA, MPhil, PhD, Visitors, etc. Useful InfoThe WIP is a unique opportunity for graduates to develop their presenting and writing skills, take risks, test out ideas, and receive constructive feedback from peers.
Presentations need not be watertight or polished pieces at all. You are encouraged to present work at all stages of the writing process. Should you present?Are you a postgraduate? Then yes, you should present. |
NEXT TALKRozemin Keshvani (PhD) Kant Thursday 25/06/2026 5pm - 6:15pm S1.50 ORGANISERS |
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Philosophy Department Postgraduate Work in Progress Seminar: Mert Yirmibes: 'Hegel's Treatment of Modality as Against the Modal Sceptical Approaches'
Abstract:
In this talk Mert will examine two interpretations of Hegel in relation to the contemporary modal metaphysics. Firstly, Robert Brandom puts forward modal expressivism and modal realism in order to overcome modal scepticism. He places Hegelian term determinateness in the centre of his theories, as a non-modal explanatory tool, which makes explicit the implicit modal connotations in the empirical vocabulary. Brandom suggests considering Hegel on the same line with Lewis and Stalnaker whose approaches to modality require non-modal explanatory tools to define modal concepts, such as possible worlds for Lewis and propositions for Stalnaker. Secondly, Paul Redding proposes that since Hegel defines actuality as consisting possibility within itself, Hegel's position in modal metaphysics may be well taken similar to Stalnaker's vision of modal actualism, which defines possibilities as sets of consistent propositions contained within actuality. Mert argues that these two interpretations, reconciling Hegel with Lewis and Stalnaker, miss to illuminate Hegel's distinctive approach to modality, namely, the immanent derivation of modal concepts. By examining the formal elements of Hegel's treatment of modality, Mert demonstrates that Hegel's immanent critique of modality is capable of overcoming sceptical worries by deriving modal concepts from one to another without a need of modally unexplainable tools.