Abstract

POLLARD ARGUES THAT IN MY EARLIER ARTICLE, "TRUTH FROM\nFICTION?", I UNDERESTIMATE THE STRENGTH OF THE POSITION\nTHAT WORKS OF FICTION CONTAIN OR IMPLY THEIR "MORALS" OR\n"MESSAGES." I ARGUE THAT HIS PROPOSED METHOD FOR\nDETERMINING SUCH TRUTHS PRODUCES ONLY PROPOSITIONS WHICH\nCAN BE CLAIMED TO BE TRUE OF THE WORK, AND NOT PROPOSITIONS\nWHICH HAVE A CLAIM TO TRUTH ABOUT THE REAL WORLD. IN\nADDITION, HE HAS FALLEN INTO A DIFFICULTY I PREDICTED FOR\nHIS SORT OF POSITION: HE HAS TO DEFEND THE CREDIBILITY OF\nTHE AUTHOR AS INFORMANT IN ORDER TO DEFEND THE COGNITIVE\nIMPORTANCE OF THE AUTHOR'S WORK OF FICTION