Slide 2 OVERVIEW Slide 3 Its a fact that p if and only if its
true that p. Example. Its a fact that dolomite is magnesium
carbonate if and only if its true that dolomite is magnesium
carbonate. The fact that p should be distinguished from our
belief/knowledge that p. Before 1779, nobody knew that dolomite is
magnesium carbonate, but it was nevertheless still a fact that
dolomite is magnesium carbonate. Slide 4 constructivism it is a
necessary truth about any fact that it obtains only because we
humans have constructed it in a way that reflects our contingent
needs and interests. (25) Slide 5 C. Fact-Objectivism many facts
about the world obtain entirely independently of human beings (25)
Slide 6 D. Description Dependence of Facts (DDF) Necessarily, all
facts are description-dependent: there cannot be a fact of the
matter as to how things are with the world independently of our
propensity to describe the world as being a certain way. Once we
adopt a particular scheme for describing the world, there then come
to be facts about the world (28). Slide 7 E. Social Relativity of
Description (SRD) Which scheme we adopt to describe the world will
depend on which scheme we find it useful to adopt, and which scheme
we find it useful to adopt will depend on our contingent needs and
interests as social beings (29). Slide 8 Slide 9 II. Arguments for
Fact Constructivism 1.All descriptions depend on our interests and
needs (SRD). 2.If all descriptions depend on our interests and
needs, then no fact obtains independently of our descriptions. 3.No
fact obtains independently of our descriptions. (DDF) Slide 10 Does
SRD entail DDF? Slide 11 Slide 12 Boghossian vs. CC An object is a
stellar constellation only if we describe it as a constellation.
However, not all objects are F only if we describe them as Fs.
Example: A sample of dolomite contains magnesium even if nobody
describes it as containing magnesium. So, its not the case that if
a constellation is description-dependent, then everything else is
too! Slide 13 An unexplored argument between use, description, and
facts If theres a fact, then either were aware of it or were not.
If were aware of a fact, then we have a description of it. If were
not aware of it, then its of no immediate use to us. So, if there
is any fact of immediate use to us, then we have a description of
it. Slide 14 Slide 15 Slide 16 Slide 17 Slide 18 1.If one grasps
the concept electron, then one understands that electrons exist
independently of our descriptions of them. 2.If fact-constructivism
is true, then electrons do not exist independently of our
descriptions of them. 3.So, if one grasps the concept electron,
then fact- constructivism is not true. 4.Many grasp the concept
electron. 5.So fact constructivism is not true. Slide 19 IV.D.
Disagreement 1.If fact constructivism is true and its possible that
we have constructed the fact that P at the same time that another
community has constructed the fact that not-P, then its possible
that P and not-P. 2.Its possible that we have constructed the fact
that P at the same time that another community has constructed the
fact that not-P. 3.So, if fact constructivism is true, then its
possible that P and not-P. 4.It is impossible that P and not-P.
5.So fact constructivism is not true. Slide 20 Recap
Fact-constructivists hold that there cannot be a fact of the matter
as to how anything is with the world independently of our
descriptions. Fact-constructivists do not have a clear line of
argument for their position. Fact-constructivists face many tough
arguments against their position, most notably the three problems
just discussed.
