The many worlds of Quantum Physics

Some extra-curricular fun (pointers to) reading(s) on possible worlds and quantum

HW 1, Readings for Week 3

Homework 1 is now posted and will be due next Thursday. I’ve also updated the readings on the schedule. Note that the chapter from Chierchia & McConnell-Ginet is the 1990 version. If you can get your hands on the 2000 version, try to do that, since that one has a more reader-friendly layout and contains a few additional examples.

A further reading you might be interested in, in particular with respect to proper names, definite descriptions, and other referential expressions, but also various other aspects of intensional semantics, is Barbara Abbott’s new book Reference (table of contents here).

A classic on attitudes

Perhaps starting today and definitely on Thursday, we will discuss the basics of the semantics of propositional attitude verbs. Please read chapter 2 in von Fintel & Heim. You should also take a look at the seminal paper by Hintikka (1969) [on Zotero], which introduces the general possible worlds semantic view of attitude verbs that we will be working with.

First Readings

If you want to get a head start on the readings for the class, take a look at the first set of background readings!

Welcome to LING 581

Welcome to LING 581, spring 2011 edition. Please watch this space for announcements throughout the semester.

I’m going to try out using Zotero to make available references and readings. You should join the group ling581 (http://www.zotero.org/groups/ling581).

• If you already have a zotero account, go to the group site and click on ‘join group’
• If you don’t have one, either create one first, then do the above, or

• send me an email with the email address you’d like to use to set up an account. I’ll send you a group invitation, and you’ll have to click on the link in the email to create an account

Note: Once you have a zotero account, you probably will want install the firefox add on so you have convenient access to all references and readings from there, rather than through the zotero website.