more from Trenton Merricks

Single Idea 19202

[catalogued under 19. Language / D. Propositions / 2. Abstract Propositions / a. Propositions as sense]

Full Idea

My account says that each proposition is a necessary existent that essentially represents things as being a certain way, ...and there is no explanation of how propositions do that.

Gist of Idea

Propositions are necessary existents which essentially (but inexplicably) represent things

Source

Trenton Merricks (Propositions [2015], Intro)

Book Reference

Merricks,Trenton: 'Propositions' [OUP 2015], p.-2


A Reaction

Since I take propositions to be brain events, I don't expect much of an explanation either. The idea that propositions necessarily exist strikes me as false. If there were no minds, there would have been no propositions.

Related Idea

Idea 15154 We should use cognitive states to explain representational propositions, not vice versa [Soames]