Ontological Revolutions

Explore the profound and enduring philosophical quest for meaning in this in-depth course. Delve into the radical shifts in how thinkers have approached the problem of meaning, examining the interconnected ideas of Hume, Quine, and Wittgenstein.

This course demonstrates that the problem of meaning extends beyond mere semantics or linguistics; it's fundamentally ontological, touching upon the very nature of existence. We'll trace the moments when philosophical self-awareness intensifies, and skepticism challenges the foundations of difference.

The course highlights how figures like Quine argued that the essence of something – like "rabbitness" – is tied to underlying correlations, stripped of superficial layers. This seemingly technical debate in analytic philosophy expands into a deeply human concern, with the introduction of Heidegger.

When philosophical accounts of meaning falter, not only does language unravel, but the very distinctions that structure our lives – what we consider knowledge, what defines humanity, and what constitutes truth – are threatened.

Throughout the course, we'll investigate how philosophy has grappled with meaning, exploring approaches that reduce it to use, dissolve it into logic, or elevate it to Being. However, we'll also uncover the persistent, unresolved "remainder" – an unstable element that resists complete formalization.

By bringing together these influential voices, this course reveals a single, overarching crisis of meaning that resonates across ontology, humanity, and the shared world we inhabit.

About the Author: Lucas Vollet, Ph.D., is a philosopher specializing in Quine, Wittgenstein, Heidegger, and Hume. His research explores the complexities of language, ontology, and the structure of thought. Downloadable PDFs of his writings are available within the course for deeper context.

AI-Assisted Content Note: Some visuals and voiceovers in this course were created using AI, carefully integrated to enhance understanding and complement the core arguments. This process requires significant human effort and is not automated.