A Dilemma for Determination Pluralists (or Dualists)

Ragnar Van Der Merwe (University of Johannesburg, University of Stellenbosch)

The Virtual International Consortium for Truth Research (VICTR) presents: Ragnar van der Merwe (University of Johannesberg), “A Dilemma for Determination Pluralism (or Dualism)” on March 1, 10:00am EST / 15:00 UTC. 

Abstract: Douglas Edwards is arguably the most prominent contemporary advocate of moderate alethic pluralism. Significantly influenced by Crispin Wright and Michael Lynch, his workon the nature of truth has become widely discussed in the topical literature. Edwards labels his version of moderate alethic pluralism determination pluralism. At first blush, determination pluralism appears philosophically promising. The position deserves thoughtful consideration, particularly because of its capacity to accommodate the scope problem. I argue, however, that upon analysis the view is better understood as a form of metaphysical dualism or what I will call meta-dualism. Furthermore, determination pluralists face a dilemma; there appears to be an instability at the core of their dualistic model. On the one horn of the dilemma, they need a clear metaphysical demarcation at the interface of their two necessary domains. On the other horn, they seem to need to a metaphysically vague boundary at the interface of their two necessary domains. Determination pluralism needs substantial revision

This will be a read-ahead talk. The paper to be read in advance of the talk is "A Dilemma for Determination Pluralism (or Dualism)", forthcoming at Axiomathes. 

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