Single Idea 18394

[catalogued under 3. Truth / B. Truthmakers / 7. Making Modal Truths]

Full Idea

A mathematical entity exists if and only if it is possible that there be instantiations of that structure. This transforms the question of truthmakers for the existence of mathematical entities into a question of truthmakers for certain possibilities.

Gist of Idea

In mathematics, truthmakers are possible instantiations of structures

Source

David M. Armstrong (Truth and Truthmakers [2004], 09.3)

Book Reference

Armstrong,D.M.: 'Truth and Truthmakers' [CUP 2004], p.117


A Reaction

This modal approach to structuralism [for which he endorses Hellman 1989] opens up a modal approach to other truthmakers, which places dispositions at the centre of physical truthmaking. No sets of Meinongian objects?

Related Idea

Idea 12225 Neo-Fregeanism might be better with truth-makers, rather than quantifier commitment [Hale/Wright]