Humility and constraints on O-language

Leuenberger, S. (2010) Humility and constraints on O-language. Philosophical Studies, 149(3), pp. 327-354. (doi: 10.1007/s11098-009-9352-3)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11098-009-9352-3

Abstract

In "Ramseyan Humility," David Lewis argues that we cannot know what the fundamental properties in our world are. His arguments invoke the possibility of permutations and replacements of fundamental properties. Most responses focus on Lewis’s view on the relationship between properties and roles, and on the assumptions about knowledge that he makes. I argue that no matter how the debates about knowledge and about the metaphysics of properties turn out, Lewis’s arguments are unconvincing since they rely on a highly implausible assumption about the expressive power of our language.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Leuenberger, Professor Stephan
Authors: Leuenberger, S.
Subjects:B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General)
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Philosophy
Journal Name:Philosophical Studies
ISSN:0031-8116
ISSN (Online):1573-0883
Published Online:18 March 2009
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2009, Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
First Published:First published in Philosophical studies 149(3):327-354
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com

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