A radical relationist solution to the problem of intentional inexistence
1Department of Philosophy (KGW), University of Salzburg, Franziskanergasse 1, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
Synthese
|December 31, 2021
Summary
This paper introduces a radical relationist solution to the problem of intentional inexistence. It argues that relations do not always require the existence of their relata, offering a new perspective on how we think about non-existent things.
Area of Science:
- Philosophy of Mind
- Metaphysics
- Epistemology
Background:
- The problem of intentional inexistence stems from conflicting intuitions about thinking about non-existent entities.
- Intentionality is often viewed as a relation between a thinker and their object.
- Traditional views assert that relations necessitate the existence of their related entities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and defend a radical relationist solution to the problem of intentional inexistence.
- To challenge existing arguments that relations entail the existence of their relata.
- To offer an alternative to intentional content and adverbial property solutions.
Main Methods:
- Critically analyzing arguments for the existential entailment of relations.
- Defending a pluralistic view of relations, including those involving non-existent entities.
- Examining the nature of thought as a relation between thinkers and their objects.
Main Results:
- Arguments for the existential entailment of relations are found to be insufficient.
- A pluralism of relations is defended, accommodating non-existent relata.
- The radical relationist solution is presented as superior to existing alternatives.
Conclusions:
- The radical relationist solution effectively addresses issues such as ontological commitment and substitutivity failure.
- Distinguishing between thinking "X" and thinking about X is crucial for the proposed solution.
- This framework provides a robust account of intentionality concerning non-existent objects.
Keywords:
AdverbialismIntentional contentsIntentionalityNon-existent objectsProperties and relationsSubstitutivity failureMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
00:51Radical Formation: Elimination
1.9K
Another method of radical formation is the elimination process. It is the opposite of the addition route and is driven by the instability of the radical. For example, as depicted in Figure 1, dibenzoyl peroxide yields a pair of unstable radicals upon homolysis. Given its instability, this radical spontaneously undergoes elimination via a C–C bond cleavage to form a relatively more stable phenyl radical. The mechanism involves cleavage of the bond between the α and β positions...
1.9K
01:11Radical Reactivity: Overview
2.2K
Radicals, the highly reactive species, gain stability by undergoing three different reactions. The first reaction involves a radical-radical coupling, in which a radical combines with another radical, forming a spin‐paired molecule. The second reaction is between a radical and a spin‐paired molecule, generating a new radical and a new spin‐paired molecule. The third reaction is radical decomposition in a unimolecular reaction, forming a new radical and a spin‐paired...
2.2K
00:47Radical Formation: Addition
1.9K
Radicals can be formed by adding a radical to a spin-paired molecule. This is typically observed with unsaturated species, where the addition of a radical across the π bond leads to the production of a new radical by dissolving the π bond. For example, the addition of a Br radical to an alkene yields a carbon-centered radical.
Similar to charge conservation in chemical reactions, spin conservation is implicit for radical reactions. Accordingly, the product formed must possess an...
Similar to charge conservation in chemical reactions, spin conservation is implicit for radical reactions. Accordingly, the product formed must possess an...
1.9K
01:03Radical Formation: Overview
2.2K
A bond can be broken either by heterolytic bond cleavage to form ions or homolytic bond cleavage to yield radicals. A fishhook arrow is used to represent the motion of a single electron in homolytic bond cleavage. There are two main sources from which radicals can be formed:
Radicals from spin-paired molecules:
Radicals can be obtained from spin-paired molecules either by homolysis or electron transfer. While two radicals are formed in the former, an electron is added in the...
Radicals from spin-paired molecules:
Radicals can be obtained from spin-paired molecules either by homolysis or electron transfer. While two radicals are formed in the former, an electron is added in the...
2.2K
00:47Radical Formation: Abstraction
3.7K
The electron of an atom can be abstracted from a compound by a relatively unstable radical to generate a new radical of relatively greater stability. For example, an initiator which forms radicals by homolysis can abstract a suitable species like a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom from a compound to generate a new radical. This ability of radicals to propagate by abstraction is a crucial feature of radical chain reactions.
Even though homolysis produces radicals, it is different from radical...
Even though homolysis produces radicals, it is different from radical...
3.7K
01:33Radical Reactivity: Intramolecular vs Intermolecular
1.8K
Radical reactions can occur either intermolecularly or intramolecularly. In an intermolecular radical reaction, a nucleophilic radical adds to an electrophilic alkene or vice versa. In such reactions, the radical and generally the alkene, which is also called the radical trap, are two different molecules. Additionally, for such intermolecular reactions to occur, the radical trap must be active, present in an excess concentration, and the radical starting material must have a weak...
1.8K