1. Ontology 18-19
Lezz. 4-6

2. Lezione 4
8/10/18

3. Let's fix some terminology (in part introduced last week) ...

4. Times and dates
instant: minimal "punctiform" amount of time, without a before and an after
interval: constituted by a series of instants
(alternatively we may take interval as primitive and define instant in terms of interval)
time (moment): either an instant or an interval
date: non-deictic singular term that refers to a time (sometime "date" is used for the time itself)

5. Static vs. dynamic events
Dynamic event: occupies an interval of time
Static event (state of affairs, fact): occurs at an instant
see SEP entry on events for this terminology

6. READING ASSIGNMENT FOR THIS WEEK AND NEXT WEEK
On properties: Ch. 1 of Loux; SEP entry on properties (Ch. 2 of Loux on nominalism and tropes; SEP entry on tropes)
More to come ...

7. PRPs: abundant vs. sparse
predicate/sentence vs. property, relation/proposition
Abundant vs. Sparse (Lewis)
Type I (concepts) vs. Type II (qualities) (Bealer)
water vs. H2O: two abundant properties (concept) and one corresponding sparse property (quality)

8. Lezione 5
9/10/18

9. Abundant vs sparse and A vs B
A-properties and B-relations: we may take them for granted as abundant attributes.
Are there corresponding sparse attributes, or are they exemplified?
The answer may vary, depending on the different theories of time

10. Being, existence, everything, something
Absolutely general term: entity, item (thing, object)
Standard view (Frege, Russell, Quine): being (something) = to exist, hence everything exists
Meinong: there "are" things that do not exist, hence being (something)  to exist
In temporal ontology the standard view is typically assumed
possible topic: connect this dispute to temporal ontology (Meinongian presentism)

11. events as unrepeatables
Kim's conception: an event is a complex entity <F, x, t>
<F, x, t> = <F', x', t'>  (F = F' & x = x' & t = t')
Davidson's conception: an event is a simple entity identified by its causes and effects

12. Lezione 6
10/10/18

13. Events as repeatables
Exemplifications of properties or relations that may re-occur
No temporal parameter in Kim's representation: <F, x>
Tom's standing
Alfred's being tired
Mary's kissing John, <K, <m, j>>

14. The problem of unity
What accounts for the unity of events (states of affairs, facts) understood as complex entities?
An event is made up of different things (it is a complex). Why is it ONE?
Hand-out on the problem of unity for states of affairs and Bradley’s regress