Volume 17 · Number 3 · Pages 252–263
A Defence of Starmaking Constructivism: The Problem of Stuff

Bin Liu

Log in to download the full text for free

> Citation > Similar > References > Add Comment

Abstract

Context: There is still no detailed defence of Goodman’s starmaking constructivism against the objection Boghossian presented in his 2006 book, Fear of Knowledge. Problem: I defend Goodman’s constructivism against the problem of stuff raised by Boghossian, that is, that constructivism requires unconstructed stuff and thus cannot explain all features in the world. Method: I argue that there is a way out for constructivists when they face the problem of stuff. Constructivists can choose to accept a constructivist-friendly worldview and the problem of stuff does not hold in this worldview. Goodman already provides hints for such a worldview in his works. I articulate the worldview in detail and argue that it does not have obvious faults. Results: I show that starmaking constructivism does not have the problem of stuff at least under a certain tenable worldview. Implications: The constructivist-friendly worldview and related novel ideas could be used to defend starmaking constructivism against other objections in Boghossian’s book and is helpful in answering other philosophical questions such as the mind-matter problem and modality. Constructivist content: This article may contribute to reviving Goodman’s starmaking constructivism.

Key words: Anti-foundationalism, bundle theory, constructivism, phenomenalism.

Citation

Liu B. (2022) A defence of starmaking constructivism: The problem of stuff. Constructivist Foundations 17(3): 252–263. https://constructivist.info/17/3/252

Export article citation data: Plain Text · BibTex · EndNote · Reference Manager (RIS)

Similar articles

Müller K. H. (2010) The Radical Constructivist Movement and Its Network Formations
Ulrich C., Tillema E. S., Hackenberg A. J. & Norton A. (2014) Constructivist Model Building: Empirical Examples From Mathematics Education
Weiss M. G. (2013) Non-dualistic Sex. Josef Mitterer’s Non-dualistic Philosophy in the Light of Judith Butler’s (De)Constructivist Feminism
Leydesdorff L. (2012) Radical Constructivism and Radical Constructedness: Luhmann’s Sociology of Semantics, Organizations, and Self-Organization
Bednarz N. & Proulx J. (2011) Ernst von Glasersfeld’s Contribution and Legacy to a Didactique des Mathématiques Research Community

References

Armstrong D. M. (1978) Nominalism and realism: Universals and scientific realism. Volume I. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Armstrong D. M. (1989) Universals: An opinionated introduction. Westview Press, Boulder. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Ayer A. J. (1963) Phenomenalism. In: Philosophical essays. St Martin’s Press, New York: 125–166. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Ayer A. J. (1963) The identity of indiscernibles. In: Philosophical essays. St Martin’s Press, New York: 26–35. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Benovsky J. (2008) The bundle theory and the substratum theory: Deadly enemies or twin brothers? Philosophical Studies 141(2): 175–190. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Boghossian P. A. (2006) Fear of knowledge: Against relativism and constructivism. Oxford University Press, Oxford. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Campbell K. (1981) The metaphysic of abstract particulars. Midwest Studies in Philosophy 6(1): 477–488. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Campbell K. (1990) Abstract particulars. Blackwell, Oxford. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Carnap R. (1967) The logical structure of the world and pseudoproblems in philosophy. Translated by Rolf A. George. University of California Press, Berkeley. German original published in 1928. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Chalmers D. J. (1996) The conscious mind: In search of a fundamental theory. Oxford University Press, Oxford. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Cohnitz D. (2009) The unity of Goodman’s thought. In: Ernst G., Steinbrenner J. & Scholz O. R. (eds.) From logic to art: Themes from Nelson Goodman. Ontos, Frankfurt: 33–50. https://cepa.info/7886
Einheuser I. (2006) Counterconventional conditionals. Philosophical Studies 127(3): 459–482. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Goodman N. (1951) The structure of appearance. Harvard University Press, Cambridge MA. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Goodman N. (1952) Sense and certainty. The Philosophical Review 61(2): 160–167. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Goodman N. (1975) Words, works, worlds. Erkenntnis 9: 57–73. https://cepa.info/7888
Goodman N. (1977) The structure of appearance. Third edition. Reidel, Dordrecht. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Goodman N. (1978) Ways of worldmaking. Harvester Press. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Goodman N. (1980) On starmaking. Synthese 45(2): 211–215. https://cepa.info/7889
Goodman N. (1983) Notes on the well-made world. Erkenntnis 19(1–3): 99–107. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Goodman N. (1993) On some worldly worries. Synthese 95(1): 9–12. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Goodman N. (1996) Comments. In: McCormick P. J. (ed.) Starmaking: Realism, anti-realism, and irrealism. MIT Press, Cambridge MA: 203–213. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Horwich P. (1998) Meaning. Oxford University Press, Oxford. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Locke J. (1997) An essay concerning human understanding. Edited by Roger Woolhouse. Penguin Books, London. Originally published in 1689. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Putnam H. (1982) Why there isn’t a ready-made world. Synthese 51(2): 141–167. https://cepa.info/4812
Putnam H. (1987) The many faces of realism. Open Court, La Salle IL. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Rorty R. (1998) Truth and progress: Philosophical papers. Volume 3. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Russell B. (1949) The relation of sense-data to physics. In: Mysticism and logic and other essays. Eighth Impression. George Allen & Unwin, London: 145–179. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Scheffler I. (1980) The wonderful worlds of Goodman. Synthese 45(2): 201–209. https://cepa.info/7897
Sidelle A. (1989) Necessity, essence and individuation: A defense of conventionalism. Cornell University Press, Ithaca NY. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Sidelle A. (1992) Identity and the identity-like. Philosophical Topics 20(1): 269–292. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Van Cleve J. (1985) Three versions of the bundle theory. Philosophical Studies 47(1): 95–107. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Westerhoff J. (2016) On the nihilist interpretation of Madhyamaka. Journal of Indian Philosophy 44: 337–376. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Westerhoff J. (2020) The non-existence of the real world. Oxford University Press, Oxford. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar

Comments: 0

To stay informed about comments to this publication and post comments yourself, please log in first.