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The Theoretical Usefulness of Pluralistic Constitution Theory

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dc.contributor.authorDavies, Morgan Edwarden
dc.contributor.committeechairTrogdon, Kelly Griffithen
dc.contributor.committeememberKlagge, James C.en
dc.contributor.committeememberParent, Teden
dc.contributor.committeememberPatton, Lydia K.en
dc.contributor.departmentPhilosophyen
dc.date.accessioned2018-11-23T07:00:41Zen
dc.date.available2018-11-23T07:00:41Zen
dc.date.issued2017-05-31en
dc.description.abstractIn this paper, I argue that pluralism about material constitution (i.e., holding that the relata of constitution can be non-identical) is a theoretically useful notion. First, I propose a principle whose denial is sufficient and, to my knowledge, necessary for pluralism to be true. Then I formulate three metaphysical antinomies (the problem of material constitution, the problem of change, and the problem of many) in such a way as to reveal that the previous principle is involved in all three. Then I show that the denial of the principle resolves all three of these problems. Finally, I conclude that pluralism is indeed theoretically useful on the basis of the following three points: 1) denying the mentioned principle is sufficient for pluralism to be correct, 2) denying the principle resolves three problems, and 3) by a theoretically useful notion I mean that if it were true it would solve multiple problems.en
dc.description.abstractgeneralThere is a debate in philosophy about whether or not objects are identical to what makes them up. This paper argues that if we are to assume objects are not identical to what makes them up then many problems that have be written about in the literature dissipate. Thus, it is useful to believe that objects are not identical to what makes them up.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Artsen
dc.format.mediumETDen
dc.identifier.othervt_gsexam:11340en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/86142en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectMetaphysicsen
dc.subjectMaterial Constitutionen
dc.titleThe Theoretical Usefulness of Pluralistic Constitution Theoryen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplinePhilosophyen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Artsen

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