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Positive truthmakers for negative truths: a solution to Molnar's problem.

Authors :
Waechter, Jonas
Source :
Philosophical Studies; Mar2017, Vol. 174 Issue 3, p579-592, 14p
Publication Year :
2017

Abstract

The present paper addresses Molnar's problem (Australas J Philos 78(1):72-86, 2000): that of finding positive truthmakers for negative truths. The proposed solution, called (Simple), is to hold truth and falsity to be primitive and positive features of propositions and to take every literal negative truth to be made true by the falsity of the atomic proposition that it embeds. The solution is shown to be compatible with Maximalism, Necessitarianism and with the Entailment Thesis, as well as with most if not all possible variants of truthmaking theory. Other advantages of (Simple) are noted: it doesn't require the inclusion of exotic objects in one's ontology; it doesn't require any revision of one's logic or of one's theory of modality. The solution also allows one to eschew negative facts, tropes and properties while providing a definition of negativity (DefNegativity) for certain literal propositions. The paper ends by rebutting several objections that may be levelled against (Simple). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00318116
Volume :
174
Issue :
3
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Philosophical Studies
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
121014502
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11098-016-0697-0