Existence and Believability.

This paper argues that true singular existentials are rationally indubitable. After the claim is clarified and motivated (Section 1), it is defended against objections inspired by Cartesian skepticism and semantic externalism (Section 2), a Fregean fine‐grained conception of propositional content (S...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Pacific Philosophical Quarterly Vol. 103; no. 1; pp. 2 - 39
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Wiley-Blackwell Mar2022
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:This paper argues that true singular existentials are rationally indubitable. After the claim is clarified and motivated (Section 1), it is defended against objections inspired by Cartesian skepticism and semantic externalism (Section 2), a Fregean fine‐grained conception of propositional content (Section 3), Kripke's causal theory of reference (Section 4), a Stalnakerian coarse‐grained conception of propositional content (Section 5), as well as Evans's account of descriptive reference fixing (Section 6). The discussion is brought to a close by concluding that either true singular existentials are a priori or apriority is not necessary for rational indubitability (Section 7).