Where Not to Look For Fictional Objects

Abstract

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26333/sts.xxxvi1.06 Philosophers discuss whether we should commit ourselves to fictional objects or not. There is a test—quite widespread among philosophers—to settle the matter: if fictional objects are required to give an adequate semantic/pragmatic analysis of either intra-fictional or extra-fictional sentences, then we are committed to them; if we can account for this analysis without them, we are not so committed. I am going to consider this test and I will claim that on its own it cannot be considered a definitive test.

Keywords

• fictional names
• fictional objects
• abstract objects
• realists/irrealists about fictional objects
• intra-fictional sentences
• extra-fictional sentences