David Liggins is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Manchester. Ontology is at the centre of his research interests. In 2024 he published a monograph, Truth Without Truths (Oxford University Press), and a Cambridge ‘Element’, Abstract Objects. David is a former editor of Analysis.
Unlike first-order logic, higher-order logic permits quantification into syntactic positions other than name position, such as predicate position and sentence position. The contemporary movement called ‘higher-order metaphysics’ is based on higher-order logic. But there is significant confusion about how higher-order metaphysics relates to existing questions in metaphysics, which in turn clouds our understanding of the merits and demerits of higher-order metaphysical theories. Building on work done by Lukas Skiba, I use the notion of conceptual engineering to offer clarification, with the aim of helping us appreciate the full richness and strangeness of theories in higher-order metaphysics.
Our meetings usually take place in Senate House, University of London, Malet St, London WC1E 7HU. See top of page for specific location.
The Society’s philosophy talks take place every fortnight on Mondays throughout the academic year. Each talk starts at 18:15 and lasts for 45 minutes. The remainder of the time is dedicated to discussion, which ends at 19:45
All of the Society’s philosophy talks are catered with fairtrade teas, coffees, and biscuits.
In line with the Society’s mission to make philosophy readily available to the general public, all talks are free and membership is not required.
Following over a century of tradition, draft papers for all the talks are available in advance. Please note that draft papers can only be cited with the authors permission (see below for final publication and subscription details). The draft paper for a talk is available approximately one week prior to its schedule delivery.
For the past 146 years, the Proceedings has featured widely respected papers delivered by a range of prominent philosophers, such as Alfred North Whitehead, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Bertrand Russell, A.J. Ayer, P.F. Strawson, Karl Popper, Elizabeth Anscombe, Bernard Williams, Hubert Dreyfus, Alexander Nehamas, and Onora O’Neill. Final drafts of the papers — including discussion notes and exemplary graduate papers — are published in the Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society.
The venue at Senate House is wheelchair accessible and there are disabled toilet facilities on the ground floor. If you require a disabled parking space or a hearing loop, please contact our Managing Editor, Malcolm Keating (managingeditor@aristoteliansociety.org.uk), in advance so that we can reserve these for you. Service animals are also welcome.
