Single Idea 14468

[catalogued under 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 6. Nihilism about Objects]

Full Idea

All the activities apparently carried out by shelves and stars and other artefacts and natural bodies can be understood as disguised cooperative activities. And, therefore, we are not forced to grant existence to any artefacts or natural bodies.

Gist of Idea

Actions by artefacts and natural bodies are disguised cooperations, so we don't need them

Source

Peter van Inwagen (Material Beings [1990], 12)

Book Reference

Inwagen,Peter van: 'Material Beings' [Cornell 1995], p.122


A Reaction

In 'the crowd tore her to pieces' are we forced to accept the existence of a crowd? We can't say 'Jack tore her to pieces' and 'Jill tore her to pieces'. If a plural quantification is unavoidable, we have to accept the plurality. Perhaps.