Fictional names, theoretical names, and indeterminate existence
Abstract
Abstract Creationism about fictional and theoretical names holds that seemingly empty names such as ‘Sherlock Holmes’ and ‘Vulcan’ refer to abstract objects created by authors and scientific theorists. This paper poses an objection to creationism: in cases of fiction writing or scientific theorising where it is indeterminate whether one succeeds or fails in referring to an object in the world, creationism renders it metaphysically indeterminate whether an abstract object is created. However, the indeterminate existence of abstract objects constitutes an untenable metaphysical commitment, offering a compelling reason to reject creationism.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Philosophy and Theoretical Science
Epistemology
Ethics
and Metaphysics
Philosophy
Science
and History
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Philosophical Studies
- Volume
- 183
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 1465–1481
- Publication date
- 26 February 2026
- Language
- EN