Conceptual room for ontic vagueness
This thesis is a systematic investigation of whether there might be conceptual room for the idea that the world itself might be vague, independently of how we describe it. This idea â the existence of so-called ontic vagueness â has generally been extremely unpopular in the literature; my thesis thus seeks to evaluate whether this ânegative pressâ is justified. I start by giving a working definition and semantics for ontic vagueness, and then attempt to show that there are no conclusive arguments that rule out vagueness of this kind. I subsequently establish what type of arguments I think would be most effective in establishing ontic vagueness and provide some arguments of this form. I then highlight a potential worry for this type of argument, but argue that it can be circumvented. Finally, I consider the main ways that the opponent of ontic vagueness would be likely resist the arguments I have offered, and argue that these strategies of response are methodologically problematic. I conclude by claiming that ontic vagueness is a perfectly plausible ontological commitment.
Barnes, Elizabeth
Ontic vagueness ; B105.V3B2 ; Vagueness (Philosophy) ; Ontology
Conceptual room for ontic vagueness. This thesis is a systematic investigation of whether there might be conceptual room for the idea that the world itself might be vague, independently of how we describe it. This idea â the existence of so-called ontic vagueness â has generally been extremely unpopular in the literature; my thesis thus seeks to evaluate whether this ânegative pressâ is justified. I start by giving a working definition and semantics for ontic vagueness, and then attempt to show that there are no conclusive arguments that rule out vagueness of this kind. I subsequently establish what type of arguments I think would be most effective in establishing ontic vagueness and provide some arguments of this form. I then highlight a potential worry for this type of argument, but argue that it can be circumvented. Finally, I consider the main ways that the opponent of ontic vagueness would be likely resist the arguments I have offered, and argue that these strategies of response are methodologically problematic. I conclude by claiming that ontic vagueness is a perfectly plausible ontological commitment.
conceptual room vagueness systematic_investigation whether might conceptual room idea world might vague independently describe idea existence so_called vagueness generally extremely unpopular literature thus seek evaluate whether negative press justify start give work_definition semantics vagueness attempt_show conclusive argument rule vagueness kind subsequently establish type argument think would effective establish vagueness provide argument form highlight_potential worry type argument argue finally_consider main way opponent vagueness would likely resist argument offer argue strategy response methodologically problematic conclude claim vagueness perfectly plausible ontological_commitment