The Conceptualist Argument

Chad McIntosh has produced one of the most thought-provoking pieces of philosophy on the internet. I suggest a thorough study of what he has written in the paper, but also glance through his footnotes and explore the sources he has put together. He is writing on the “Conceptualist Argument” for God’s existence which I take to distill into the following:

C. Concepts are mental effects
A. Propositions are concepts
N. Some propositions exist necessarily
.: ₁ Some concepts exist necessarily
.: ₂ Minds exist necessarily (where mind is defined as that which produces mental effects)

He defends each premise quite ably, but I think that if one is tempted towards conceptualism they will have a tough time escaping the conclusion that God exists. I recently came in possession of a book by Hartry Field defending fictionalism, so perhaps I’ll offer a few thoughts on the subject once I make my way through the book.

Explore posts in the same categories: By Josh, Philosophy of Religion

Tags: atheism, philosophy, religion

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