Ratio 14 (3):203–221 (2001)
Authors |
|
Abstract |
Several distinguished philosophers have argued that since the state of affairs where nothing exists is the simplest and least arbitrary of all cosmological possibilities, we have reason to be surprised that there is in fact a non-empty universe. We review this traditional argument, and defend it against two recent criticisms put forward by Peter van Inwagen and Derek Parfit. Finally, we argue that the traditional argument nevertheless needs reformulation, and that the cogency of the reformulated argument depends partly on whether there are certain conceptual limitations to what a person can hypothetically doubt.
|
Keywords | Explanation Metaphysics Something rather than Nothing |
Categories |
No categories specified (categorize this paper) |
DOI | 10.1111/1467-9329.00158 |
Options |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Download options
References found in this work BETA
No references found.
Citations of this work BETA
Why is There Something Rather Than Nothing? A Logical Investigation.Jan Heylen - 2017 - Erkenntnis 82 (3):531-559.
The Poverty of Theistic Cosmology.Adolf Grünbaum - 2004 - British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 55 (4):561-614.
Existence Puzzles and Probabilistic Explanation.Tyron Goldschmidt - 2016 - Journal of the American Philosophical Association 2 (3):469-482.
Similar books and articles
Sartre and Bergson: A Disagreement About Nothingness.Sarah Richmond - 2007 - International Journal of Philosophical Studies 15 (1):77 – 95.
Testimony, Memory and the Limits of the a Priori.David Christensen & Hilary Kornblith - 1997 - Philosophical Studies 86 (1):1-20.
Rethinking the Presumption of Innocence.Victor Tadros - 2006 - Criminal Law and Philosophy 1 (2):193-213.
Freedom, Nothingness, Consciousness Some Remarks on the Structure of Being and Nothingness.Reidar Due - 2005 - Sartre Studies International 11 (s 1-2):31-42.
Analytics
Added to PP index
2009-01-28
Total views
89 ( #131,159 of 2,507,894 )
Recent downloads (6 months)
5 ( #138,934 of 2,507,894 )
2009-01-28
Total views
89 ( #131,159 of 2,507,894 )
Recent downloads (6 months)
5 ( #138,934 of 2,507,894 )
How can I increase my downloads?
Downloads