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A Polar Concept Argument for the Existence of Abstracta

Franceschi, Paul (2003) A Polar Concept Argument for the Existence of Abstracta. [Preprint]

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Abstract

In this paper, I present a polar concept argument for the existence of abstract objects. After recalling the fundamentals concerning the debate about the existence of abstracta, I present in a detailed way the argument for the existence of abstracta. I offer two different variations of the argument: one, deductive and the other, inductive. The argument rests primarily on the fact that our universe is well-balanced. This well-balanced property results from the fact that all instantiable polar dualities are instantiated. Hence, the abstract pole of the abstract/concrete duality must also be exemplified. Lastly, I review several objections that can be raised against this latter argument.

Item Type:Preprint
Keywords:abstract objects, abstracta, polar concepts, polar concept argument, duality, polar opposites, indispensability argument
Subjects:Philosophy > Metaphysics
ID Code:2953
Deposited By: Franceschi, Paul
Deposited On:19 May 2003
Last Modified:11 Mar 2011 08:55

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References in Article

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Tegmark, M. (2003) "Parallel Universes", to appear in Science and Ultimate Reality: From Quantum to Cosmos, J.D. Barrow, P.C.W. Davies, & C.L. Harper eds., Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (2003), at arXiv:astro-ph/0302131 v1 7 Feb 2003.

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