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Author ORCID Identifier
N/A
AccessType
Open Access Dissertation
Document Type
dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Degree Program
Philosophy
Year Degree Awarded
2016
Month Degree Awarded
May
First Advisor
Phillip Bricker
Second Advisor
Christopher Meacham
Third Advisor
Maya Eddon
Fourth Advisor
Jennie Traschen
Subject Categories
Metaphysics | Philosophy of Science
Abstract
This dissertation is divided into two parts. In the first part I defend substantivalism. I do this by offering, in chapter 1, a counterpart-theoretic defense of substantivalism from Leibniz’ shift arguments. Then, in chapter 2, I defend substantivalism from the hole argument and argue, against the consensus, that the question of haecceitism is irrelevant to substantivalism in the context of general relativity. In the second part of the dissertation I defend supersubstantivalism. I do this by offering, in chapter 3, an argument against dualistic substantivalism. The argument appeals to plausible principles of modal plenitude to show that the dualist is committed to a range of problematic possibilities. Then, in chapter 4, I consider a range of supersubstantivalist positions. I conclude by arguing for a version of supersubstantivalism I call compresence supersubstantivalism.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7275/8319743.0
Recommended Citation
Moulton, Joshua D., "The Path To Supersubstantivalism" (2016). Doctoral Dissertations. 673.
https://doi.org/10.7275/8319743.0
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations_2/673