A Semantic Argument Against the Existence of Universal Properties and Its Implications for the Likelihood of Theism

Abstract

By conducting a semantic analysis of the reference and meaning of concepts that correspond to properties, and assessing its metaphysical implications, I develop a new argument for theism. Theism is understood here as the thesis that a personal being is the ultimate origin and ground of reality. More specifically, I argue that there are no universally held positive contingent properties and that this absence significantly increases the likelihood of theism. By integrating semantic inquiry with metaphysical reasoning, this paper offers a novel approach that contributes to ongoing debates in metaphysics and philosophy of religion.

Other Versions

No versions found

Links

PhilArchive

External links

Setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your University's proxy server

Through your library

  • Only published works are available at libraries.

Similar books and articles

Semantic supervenience.Luca Gasparri - 2021 - Inquiry: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Philosophy.
Is Theism Compatible With Moral Error Theory?StJohn Lambert - 2022 - European Journal for Philosophy of Religion 14 (3):1-20.
Semantic Normativity and Semantic Causality.Lei Zhong - 2017 - Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 94 (3):626-645.
The parent–child analogy and the limits of skeptical theism.Erik J. Wielenberg - 2015 - International Journal for Philosophy of Religion 78 (3):301-314.

Analytics

Added to PP
2025-03-24

Downloads
186 (#137,380)

6 months
186 (#22,662)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?

Author's Profile

Emanuel Rutten
VU University Amsterdam

Citations of this work

No citations found.

Add more citations

References found in this work

Pathmarks.Martin Heidegger (ed.) - 1998 - New York: Cambridge University Press.
A logical analysis of some value concepts.Frederic Fitch - 1963 - Journal of Symbolic Logic 28 (2):135-142.
The Great Chain of Being.Arthur O. Lovejoy - 1936 - Science and Society 1 (2):252-256.
Origins of Analytical Philosophy.Michael Dummett - 1993 - Philosophy 69 (268):246-248.

View all 10 references / Add more references