Cornell for metaphysics?

[thatsjustsemantics]

Hi everyone,

I'm a bit worried about my application to Cornell. The PGR ranks them well in metaphysics, but Ted Sider recently left and it's been 2 years since Eklund left as well. There's K. Bennett, who does excellent work (especially in metametaphysics). Nevertheless, I am worried that Cornell will write me off because they may not be looking for students of my stripe. In fact, Bennett is the only full time professor who lists metaphysics as an interest on her page, and I've noticed that she's been teaching a lot of undergrad. courses lately. I feel like I should be worried given my interests? What do you think?

Edited January 3, 2016 by thatsjustsemantics

[dgswaim]

Seems like a legitimate concern. Ted Sider and Jill North both leaving at the same time (and both to Rutgers, iirc) was a pretty big blow to the department. Richard Boyd has done some interesting stuff in metaphysics (esp. his stuff on theory of reference), but he's getting up there in years. I wanted to apply to Cornell until I found out that Sider and North were leaving. I think those were the two best and most exciting members of the department.

[brush]

While it's true that Cornell seems to only have one permanent metaphysics faculty member, I don't think its uncommon to apply to schools which only have one primary faculty member you want to work with.

That said, Cornell's graduate course offerings in metaphysics seem kind of sketchy which I think could be concerning. I looked at the past three semesters at Cornell, and no graduate only metaphysics classes were taught (correct me if I'm wrong). In fact, their course listings are not great compared to other schools (the largest contrast I found was with Notre Dame, http://philosophy.nd.edu/graduate-program/course-archives/, though this is an unfair comparison because the ND department is huge. Still, it demonstrates the course opportunities you could have at one similarly ranked school). I looked at the course offerings at a lot of other schools too, not just Cornell and Notre Dame, and while the difference is not as stark, Cornell's course offerings in metaphysics still seems lacking.

edit: in the end, if you already applied, there's no point in worrying about it now

Edited January 3, 2016 by brush

[thatsjustsemantics]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the input. I haven't yet submitted my application, so I'm not too sure if I want to spend the extra 90 bucks to attend the school. It was especially a great place when Sider and North were there, and when Eklund left and they haven't hired someone with an AOS/AOC in metaphysics since his departure, I'm concerned that Cornell is just going to get weaker. I might end up not applying there.

[metaphysician]

Derk Pereboom does stuff on the metaphysics of agency/free will/mind.