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'

A thing can't be the only necessary existent, because its singleton set would be as well [Williamson]
If metaphysical possibility is not a contingent matter, then S5 seems to suit it best [Williamson]
If the domain of propositional quantification is constant, the Barcan formulas hold [Williamson]
The truthmaker principle requires some specific named thing to make the difference [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]
The converse Barcan formula will not allow contingent truths to have truthmakers [Williamson]
Truthmaker is incompatible with modal semantics of varying domains [Williamson]
Not all quantification is either objectual or substitutional [Williamson]