The primary aim of the Center is to promote research in the fields of linguistics and philosophy. L&PIC is dedicated to the study of natural and formal languages and their relationship to the nature of mind and thought. In linguistics, research focuses on theoretical and comparative syntax, computational linguistics, theoretical and experimental pragmatics, and the history of linguistic thought. In philosophy, research is primarily devoted to the philosophy of mind and language, epistemology, and the philosophy of mathematics, logic, and risk.
Research at L&PIC is characterized by a theoretical and formal approach, while always being situated within a multidisciplinary framework open to empirical advances in neuropsychology and neurobiology. L&PIC operates on the premise that scientific progress in its areas is not only facilitated by, but positively requires, collaboration between the humanities and empirical sciences. Accordingly, in addition to the NeTS Laboratory, which conducts empirical investigations in linguistics, L&PIC will work closely with other Centers and Laboratories within the School, beginning with the ICoN Center and its affiliated laboratories. Philosophical research at the Center follows the same inspiration, linking metaphysical investigations into the nature of mind with studies on the foundations of logical-mathematical thought.
The Center’s activities constitute an essential and defining part of several Identity Themes outlined in the IUSS “Identity and Development Plan 2020,” particularly Theme 1 (Mind – Body – Languages) and Theme 3 (Complexity – Thought – Explanation). The Center also seeks to engage actively with the wider public, promoting the dissemination of knowledge through Third Mission initiatives and, more broadly, public engagement.
RESEARCH ON LINGUISTICS
- Computation, recursion and complexity
- Theory of Movement (Genearlized Dynamic Antisymmetry)
- Clause structure (expletives, copular inversion, raising and unaccusativity)
- Syntax-semantics interface (focus, vocative, definiteness effect)
- Directionality (Top-Down, Left-Right) of phrase structure building
- Simplicity and acquisitional issues.
- Theoretical and experimental pragmatics
- Models of figurative language processing
MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH ON NEUROLINGUISTICS
- Neurobiological foundations of syntax
- Possible vs. impossible languages
- Neuropragmatics and neural basis of figurative language
- Negation in the brain
- The quest for the electrophysiological correlates of syntax
RESEARCH ON PHILOSOPHY OF MIND AND COGNITIVE SCIENCE
- Consciousness, intentionality and subjectivity
- The Extended and the Embodied Mind
- Philosophy of affectivity
- Neuroethics and Philosophy of neuroscience
- Philosophy of technology and the impact of technology on society
- Multicultural Philosophy of Mind and Personal Identity
RESEARCH ON PHILOSOPHY OF MATHEMATICS AND LOGIC
- Philosophy of Mathematics
- Philosophy of Logic
- Epistemology
- Philosophical Methodology
- Theories of Meaning and semantics of Formal Languages
- Philosophical Logic and Formal/Informal Reasoning
- Risk and Probability
Ongoing research projects:
- Progetto Promenade (ERC)
- Progetto Incertezza severa (FIS)
- Progetto Filosofia della pratica matematica (FIS)
- Epistemology and Philosophy of Mathematics
- High Order Perceivable Properties (HOPP) (PRIN)
- Filosofia della Mente – Human Consciousness Project (HCP)
- Linguistica computazionale
Head: Prof. Alfredo Tomasetta
Research staff:
Prof.ssa Valentina Bambini
Prof. Cristiano Chesi
Prof. Andrea Moro
Prof. Ian Roberts
Prof. Andrea Sereni
Dott. Luca Bischetti
Dott.ssa Chiara Barattieri di San Pietro
Prof.ssa Silvia De Toffoli
Prof. Matteo Paolo Greco
Prof.ssa Giulia Piredda
Dott. Luca Zanetti
Dott. Federico Frau
Dott.ssa Chiara Battaglini
Dott.ssa Veronica Bressan
Dott.ssa Veronica Mangiaterra
Dott. Andrea Panzavolta
Dott.ssa Chiara Pompei
Dott. Biagio Scalingi
Dott.ssa Sarah Rossi
Dott. Jacopo Sapienza
Dott.ssa Francesca Doneda
Dott. Nicolò Cambiaso
Dott.ssa Varvara Shubina
Dott.ssa Laura Coccia
Dott. Tommaso Peripoli
Dott. Alessandro Guerra
Dott. Filippo Lanari
Dott.ssa Evelina Lissoni
Dott. Lorenzo Gandolfi
Dott.ssa Sofia Sgarbi
Dott. Alessandro Buda
Dott.ssa Francesca Arioli Montanari
Dott. Giovanni Sanavio
Dott. Lorenzo d’Adddante Trafiletti
Dott. Stefano Garzonio
Dott. Thomas Sachen
Dott. Guido Formichi
Dott.ssa Asya Zanollo
Dott.ssa Fortunata Romeo
Dott.ssa Ginevra Martinelli
Dott.ssa Alessia Tavars
Dott.ssa Maddalena Bressler
Dott. Fabrizio Luciani
Dott.ssa Elena Didoni
National collaborations
Università di Pavia
Università di Bergamo
Politecnico di Milano
International collaborations
Institut d'histoire et de philosophie des sciences et des techniques (IHPST), Parigi
Università di Vienna
Publications are available at the following links:
Prof. Alfredo Tomasetta: page of the IRIS archive
Prof.ssa Valentina Bambini: page of the IRIS archive
Prof. Cristiano Chesi: page of the IRIS archive
Prof. Andrea Moro: page of the IRIS archive
Prof.ssa Silvia De Toffoli: page of the IRIS archive
Prof. Matteo Paolo Greco: page of the IRIS archive
Prof. Andrea Sereni: page of the IRIS archive
Prof.ssa Giulia Piredda: page of the IRIS archive
Dott. Luca Bischetti: page of the IRIS archive
Dott.ssa Chiara Barattieri di San Pietro: page of the IRIS archive
Dott. Luca Zanetti: page of the IRIS archive
For enquiries about the Center, please contact the Director (Prof. Alfredo Tomasetta, alfredo.tomasetta@iusspavia.it) or the affiliated faculty and researchers (email addresses available at: https://www.iusspavia.it/it/rubrica).