more on this theme     |     more from this thinker


Single Idea 15137

[filed under theme 7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 8. Facts / a. Facts ]

Full Idea

If one uses 'fact' as a noun, the question arises why one cannot name the fact that dogs bark 'Mary'.

Gist of Idea

If 'fact' is a noun, can we name the fact that dogs bark 'Mary'?

Source

Timothy Williamson (Truthmakers and Converse Barcan Formula [1999], §2 n10)

Book Ref

-: 'Dialectica' [-], p.262


A Reaction

What an intriguing thought! Must all nouns pass this test? 'The courage of the regiment was called Alfred'?


The 12 ideas from 'Truthmakers and Converse Barcan Formula'

If metaphysical possibility is not a contingent matter, then S5 seems to suit it best [Williamson]
A thing can't be the only necessary existent, because its singleton set would be as well [Williamson]
The truthmaker principle requires some specific named thing to make the difference [Williamson]
If the domain of propositional quantification is constant, the Barcan formulas hold [Williamson]
Not all quantification is objectual or substitutional [Williamson]
Substitutional quantification is metaphysical neutral, and equivalent to a disjunction of instances [Williamson]
If 'fact' is a noun, can we name the fact that dogs bark 'Mary'? [Williamson]
Our ability to count objects across possibilities favours the Barcan formulas [Williamson]
Converse Barcan: could something fail to meet a condition, if everything meets that condition? [Williamson]
Truthmaker is incompatible with modal semantics of varying domains [Williamson]
The converse Barcan formula will not allow contingent truths to have truthmakers [Williamson]
Not all quantification is either objectual or substitutional [Williamson]