Maegan Fairchild (Michigan): Maximalist Design
Please note this event occurred in the past.
February 16, 2024 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm ET
South College E470
Abstract: The idea that ontology is “maximally permissive” or “maximally inclusive" is tempting to many metaphysicians because maximality makes big promises. If we’re as permissive as can be about what there is, it seems, we can avoid uncomfortable arbitrariness, ensure against “missing targets” in our attempts to think and talk about the world, and can even make good on attractive but elusive deflationary slogans (eg. “existence is easy”). But, unfortunately, the view most readily associated with these promises — “Maximalism” — is a mess. This talk explores the prospects for a coherent maximalism and suggests a new way of thinking about ‘ontological maximality’.