Would this paper exist if I hadn’t written it?

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This paper wants to know whether it would exist, or could exist, in worlds in which I didn't write it. Before we can answer this question, we first of all have to inquire as to what, exactly, this paper is. After exploring two forms of Platonism (pure and impure), and a theory that defines literary works in terms of events, I shall argue that the term ‘this paper’ is actually infected with ambiguity. Does this paper need me? It depends upon what you mean by ‘this paper’. I lay out the options for what you might mean, and answer the question for each of the options.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3059-3080
Number of pages22
JournalPhilosophical Studies
Volume172
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - 26 Nov 2015
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Keywords

  • Art
  • Literature
  • Ontology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Philosophy

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