Open AccessHardcore Actualism and Possible Non‐Existence
Author(s) -
KimptonNye Samuel
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
thought: a journal of philosophy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.429
H-Index - 8
ISSN - 2161-2234
DOI - 10.1002/tht3.377
Subject(s) - dilemma , epistemology , extensional definition , correctness , focus (optics) , metaphysics , philosophy , contingency , leech , iterated function , computer science , law and economics , sociology , mathematics , algorithm , paleontology , mathematical analysis , tectonics , physics , world wide web , optics , biology
According to hardcore actualism (HA), all modal truths are grounded in the concrete constituents of the actual world. In this paper, I discuss some problems faced by HA when it comes to accounting for certain alleged possibilities of non‐existence. I focus particular attention on Leech (2017)'s dilemma for HA, according to which HA must either sacrifice extensional correctness or admit mere possibilia. I propose a solution to Leech's dilemma, which relies on a distinction between weak and strong possibility. It remains the case, however, that HA cannot capture certain iterated de re possibilities of non‐existence and that it is committed to a stock of necessary existents. But I still think that the virtues of the view outweigh these costs.