Are Propositions Essentially Representational?

Bryan Pickel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Jeffrey King argues that nothing has truth conditions except by being taken to be true or false by rational agents. But – for good reason – King claims that propositions possess truth conditions essentially and intrinsically. I will argue that King cannot have both: if the truth conditions of a proposition depend on the reactions of rational agents, then the possession of truth conditions can't follow from the intrinsic nature or existence of the proposition. This leaves two options. Either, nothing can do the job that motivates positing propositions. Or, there is no need to explain what bestows a truth condition on a proposition.or existence of the proposition. This leaves two options. Either, nothing can do the job that motivates positing propositions. Or, there is no need to explain what bestows a truth condition on a proposition.
Original languageEnglish
JournalPacific Philosophical Quarterly
Early online date3 Nov 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2015

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Metaphysics of Propositions
  • Philosophy of Language

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