Truthmaking

Truthmaking is the metaphysical study of how what exists determines what is true. It discusses the debate between presentists and eternalists, actualists and possibilists, and how to think about truthmakers for truths involving social constructions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 02 February 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The metaphysical study of truthmaking delves into the notion that the truth of a statement is contingent upon the existence of the entities or objects it refers to. Truthmaker theorists engage in lively discussions regarding the nature of the truthmaking relation, the criteria for determining which truths necessitate truthmakers, and the identity of those truthmakers. This Element provides an overview of the prevailing perspectives on these central topics within truthmaking. It also explores several metaphysical issues and debates that can be approached effectively through the lens of truthmaker theory. These include the ongoing debate between presentists and eternalists concerning the existence of entities from the past and the debate between actualists and possibilists regarding the mere possibility of states of affairs.

In the final section of this Element, we examine how to approach truthmakers when considering truths that are influenced by social constructions. We explore various perspectives and theories that shed light on the nature of truthmaking and its implications for our understanding of the world. By exploring these topics, we gain a deeper appreciation of the complexities and nuances of truthmaking and its role in metaphysics.

ISBN-13: 9781009112031