Single Idea 18059

[catalogued under 2. Reason / F. Fallacies / 8. Category Mistake / e. Category mistake as ontological]

Full Idea

My pragmatic account of category mistakes does not support a key role for them in metaphysics. It is highly doubtful that the presuppositions associated with category mistakes reveal anything about the fundamental nature of ontological categories.

Gist of Idea

The presuppositions in category mistakes reveal nothing about ontology

Source

Ofra Magidor (Category Mistakes [2013], 5.6)

Book Reference

Magidor,Ofra: 'Category Mistakes' [OUP 2013], p.156


A Reaction

Thus she dashes my hope, without even bothering to offer a reason. I think she should push her enquiry further, and ask why we presuppose things. Why do we take presuppositions for granted? Why are they obvious?