The Jowett Society (Friday - Week 3, TT19)

Philosophical Society

This paper critically examines a prominent and perennial strategy — found in thinkers as diverse as Kant and Shamik Dasgupta — of simultaneously embracing the Principle of Sufficient Reason (PSR) and also limiting it so as to avoid certain apparently negative consequences of an unrestricted PSR.  I will argue that this strategy of taming the PSR faces significant challenges and may even be incoherent.  I will develop these criticisms through detailed, direct engagement with both Kant and Dasgupta.  And for my (nefarious) purposes, I will enlist a generally derided argument by Leibniz for the PSR which will help us to see the connections between the PSR and a radical form of monism.


After the talks all are invited to socialise and continue discussion over drinks in the Ryle Room. If you would like to join for dinner after the drinks reception, please email sean.costello@philosophy.ox.ac.uk