Philosopher's Zone The many worlds of David Lewis
Dec 19, 2021
Barry Lamb, Associate Professor of Philosophy and host of Hi-Fi Nation, dives into the fascinating world of David Lewis, a titan of modern philosophy. They explore Lewis's groundbreaking modal realism, where every possibility exists in its own world. Barry shares Lewis's unique writing style—combining rigor with joy—and discusses his pragmatic theories of conversation. The conversation also touches on Lewis's connections to Australian philosophy and his intriguing views on the existence of gods in alternate realities, highlighting his complex legacy.
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Recall Like A Living Library
- David Lewis could recite entire polished papers from memory during conversations.
- He often held many finished essays in mind and would quote paragraphs for several papers at once.
Small Talk And Long Pauses
- Lewis found small talk difficult and paused extensively to respond.
- Alan Hájek connects this trait to Lewis's deep interest in the pragmatics of conversation.
Rule Of Accommodation In Conversation
- Lewis formulated conversational rules like context precision and the rule of accommodation.
- He argued speakers often adjust conversational rules rather than correct perceived factual errors.