Here are two questions: (1) What exists? (2) What do I believe exists? The answer to (1) depends entirely on the the world and in no way depends on me. The answer to (2) is entirely under my control.
What Should I believe exists?
I should only believe in what I can justify. If something exists and I am not justified in believing it exists, then I should not believe it.
How can something’s existence be justified?
- I am justified in not believing I am dreaming or living in the matrix because there is no evidence for either hypothesis.
- I do, however, have evidence that there is an external world.
- Therefore, I am justified in believing in an external world.
- Perceiving something with a sound mind and functioning senses justifies my believing in that thing’s existence.
- My senses can only perceive things in space and time.
- Therefore, if I perceive something, I am justified in believing that it exists in space and time.
- I am therefore justified in believing that the world contains objects in space and time.
Am I justified in believing in anything else?
- I cannot observe abstract objects.
- I can imagine abstract objects, but imagining something does not justify my believing it exists.
- Therefore, absent any other justification in the existence of abstract objects, I am not justified in believing that abstract objects exist.
- I cannot observe universals
- I can observe similarities between objects, but that doesn’t mean a separate distinct entity exists in multiple objects.
- Furthermore, I have never observed a property that exists separate from an object.
- Therefore, I have no reason to believe universals exist.
Nominalism
The only things whose existence I am justified in believing are objects in space and time. Therefore, the only ontological position I am justified in holding is nominalism.
And now for something completely different…
“No man is an island, and no island is a man.”
-Anonymous
Click here for more info about my teaching.
Or, just visit the Chicago Blackhawks’ website. They thrice won the Stanley Cups last decade, but are now the worst team in the NHL. Maybe a logo change or Connor Bedard can change things.