Naturalistic Realism and the Antirealist Challenge

Naturalistic Realism and the Antirealist Challenge

by Drew Khlentzos
ISBN-10:
0262612097
ISBN-13:
9780262612098
Pub. Date:
08/12/2005
Publisher:
MIT Press
ISBN-10:
0262612097
ISBN-13:
9780262612098
Pub. Date:
08/12/2005
Publisher:
MIT Press
Naturalistic Realism and the Antirealist Challenge

Naturalistic Realism and the Antirealist Challenge

by Drew Khlentzos

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Overview

In this important book, Drew Khlentzos explains the antirealist argument from a realist perspective. He defends naturalistic realism against the antirealist challenge, and he considers the consequences of his defense for our understanding of realism and truth. Khlentzos argues that the naturalistic realist view that the world exists independently of the mind must take into consideration what he calls the representation problem: if the naturalistic realist view is true, how can mental representation of the world be explained? He examines this major antirealist challenge in detail and shows that many realists have dismissed it because they have not understood its nature. He sees it as a philosophical puzzle: the antirealist challenge, if sound, does not prove that there are no objects that exist independently of the mind, but that there is no rational basis for thinking that there are; we have good reason to believe in the naturalistic view, but (given the antirealist arguments) we have no way of knowing how it could be true. Khlentzos surveys the antirealist arguments of Michael Dummett, Hilary Putnam, and Crispin Wright and suggests a realist answer. He argues for a radically nonepistemic conception of truth, and against pragmatist, intuitionist, verificationist, and pluralist alternatives. He examines and rejects some current versions of physicalism and functionalism, and offers an original version of the correspondence theory of truth.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780262612098
Publisher: MIT Press
Publication date: 08/12/2005
Series: Representation and Mind series
Edition description: New Edition
Pages: 416
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.75(d)
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

Drew Khlentzos is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of New England, Australia.

Table of Contents

Prefacevii
Introduction: Naturalistic Realism and Antirealism1
IMetaphysical Realism and Truth11
1Contesting Realism13
IIDummett's Antirealism45
2The Antirealist Arguments47
3Realist Replies to Antirealism75
4Intuitionistic Foundations of Antirealism117
IIIPutnam's Internalism185
5The Internalist Critique of Realism187
6Models, Representation, and Reality225
7Internalism, Pluralism, and Antirepresentationalism247
IVProspects for Naturalistic Realism279
8Realism, Facts, and Truth281
Notes355
References391
Index401

What People are Saying About This

Hilary Putnam

I know of no other book in recent years that can serve, as this book can, at once as a comprehensive survey of one of the most important debates in contemporary metaphysics and a genuinely important contribution to that debate.

Michael Devitt

Drew Khlentzos thinks that naturalistic realists have been far too complacent in the face of Dummett, Putnam and others. In this wide-ranging and engaging book he tells us why. Very provocative!

J. J. C. Smart

Drew Khlentzos's book is the best I've read on the realism-antirealism debate. Highly competent on the relevant mathematical logic and fair to his opponents, Khlentzos marshals new arguments and original proposals that will establish him as a truly world-class philosopher.

Endorsement

Drew Khlentzos's book is the best I've read on the realism-antirealism debate. Highly competent on the relevant mathematical logic and fair to his opponents, Khlentzos marshals new arguments and original proposals that will establish him as a truly world-class philosopher.

J. J. C. Smart, Emeritus Professor, Australian National University

From the Publisher

Drew Khlentzos thinks that naturalistic realists have been far too complacent in the face of Dummett, Putnam and others. In this wide-ranging and engaging book he tells us why. Very provocative!

Michael Devitt, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, The Graduate Center, City University of New York

I know of no other book in recent years that can serve, as this book can, at once as a comprehensive survey of one of the most important debates in contemporary metaphysics and a genuinely important contribution to that debate.

Hilary Putnam, Cogan University Professor Emeritus, Harvard University

Drew Khlentzos's book is the best I've read on the realism-antirealism debate. Highly competent on the relevant mathematical logic and fair to his opponents, Khlentzos marshals new arguments and original proposals that will establish him as a truly world-class philosopher.

J. J. C. Smart, Emeritus Professor, Australian National University

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