Can I survive without my body? Undercutting the Modal Argument

2017 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-92
Author(s):  
Joshua Mugg
Keyword(s):  
Author(s):  
Joseph Levine

The papers presented in this volume cover topics, such as the “phenomenal concept strategy,” to defend materialism from anti-materialist intuitions, the doctrine of representationalism about phenomenal character, the modal argument against materialism, the nature of demonstrative thought, and cognitive phenomenology. On the one hand, I argue that the phenomenal concept strategy cannot work and that representationalism has certain fatal flaws, at least if it’s to be joined to a materialist metaphysics. On the other, I defend materialism from the modal argument, arguing that it relies on a questionable conflation of semantic and metaphysical issues. I also provide a naturalistic theory of demonstrative thought, criticizing certain philosophical arguments involving that notion in the process. I argue as well that the peculiarly subjective nature of secondary qualities provides a window into the nature of the relation between phenomenal character and intentional content, and conclude that relation involves a robust notion of acquaintance.


Ratio ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Horvath

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-105
Author(s):  
Mary Zacharia Charwi

Abstract Naming can sometimes be associated with particular situations or someone’s birth. This study intends to find out the association between Datooga names and socio-cultural backgrounds. The study employs a qualitative research approach, in which case the collected data was subjected to descriptive analysis. Data have been collected from Datooga speaking students studying at the Dar es Salaam University College of Education, through Interviews and Questionnaire. The analysis is based on the Kripke’s three arguments in naming as described by Speaks (2007). The theory explains how naming is achieved with reference to the modal argument, the semantic argument and the epistemic argument. The findings of the study have revealed that in the Datooga society, naming is associated with different phenomena particularly time of birth and prevailing situations, traditions, norms and customs.


1998 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-372
Author(s):  
Richard Swinburne ◽  
Keyword(s):  

1984 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 447-459
Author(s):  
Linda Zagzebski ◽  

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franz Knappik

AbstractI propose a new reading of Hegel’s discussion of modality in the ‘Actuality’ chapter of theScience of Logic. On this reading, the main purpose of the chapter is a critical engagement with Spinoza’s modal metaphysics. Hegel first reconstructs a rationalist line of thought — corresponding to the cosmological argument for the existence of God — that ultimately leads to Spinozist necessitarianism. He then presents a reductio argument against necessitarianism, contending that as a consequence of necessitarianism, no adequate explanatory accounts of facts about finite reality can be given.


Philosophia ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 841-846
Author(s):  
Harold Noonan
Keyword(s):  

Erkenntnis ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 627-646
Author(s):  
Christopher S. Gifford
Keyword(s):  

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