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The Anti-Realist Boogeyman (And How To Avoid Him).

Authors :
Goswick, Dana
Source :
Philosophia; Mar2023, Vol. 51 Issue 1, p189-204, 16p
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

I distinguish Local Constructivism (humans play a constitutive role in constructing some of the objects we have epistemic access to) from Global Constructivism (humans play a constitutive role in constructing all of the objects we have epistemic access to). I explicate and clarify Local Constructivism and show how the metaphysical concerns which motivate endorsing Local Constructivism about some objects (e.g. social objects, modal objects) differ from the epistemic and semantic concerns which motive endorsing Global Constructivism. I, then, examine the criticisms Realists typically present against Constructivism. I argue that, although these criticisms undermine Global Constructivism, Local Constructivism is immune to them. If one has anti-Realist inclinations, but wishes to avoid the morass anti-Realism usually falls into (aka: anti-Realist Boogeyman), one should endorse Local, rather than Global, Constructivism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00483893
Volume :
51
Issue :
1
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Philosophia
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
163312968
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11406-022-00531-x