Metaphysics
Dependence is said in many ways.
Many philosophers take these claims to be underwritten by kind of dependence (or explanation) called metaphysical grounding.
I defend grounding pluralism, the view that there are multiple kinds of grounding. I posit three kinds: why-grounding (which tells us why things are), how-grounding (which tells us how things are), and what-grounding (which tells us what it is for something to be).
- Donating to charity is right because it promotes happiness.
- It’s true that people exist or unicorns exist because it’s true that people exist.
- The ball is colored in virtue of being red.
Many philosophers take these claims to be underwritten by kind of dependence (or explanation) called metaphysical grounding.
I defend grounding pluralism, the view that there are multiple kinds of grounding. I posit three kinds: why-grounding (which tells us why things are), how-grounding (which tells us how things are), and what-grounding (which tells us what it is for something to be).
Language
There are two kinds of questions you might have about the meaning of a word.
I defend a pragmatist theory of meaning. On my view, the meaning of a word is grounded in its practical effects. The meaning of a word isn't (directly) grounded in relations between words and objects. Rather, meanings are grounded in the role they play in facilitating practical (largely social) activity.
- What's the meaning of X?
- What grounds the meaning of X?
I defend a pragmatist theory of meaning. On my view, the meaning of a word is grounded in its practical effects. The meaning of a word isn't (directly) grounded in relations between words and objects. Rather, meanings are grounded in the role they play in facilitating practical (largely social) activity.
For drafts/questions, please contact me at kevinrichardsonphd (at) gmail (dot) com.
