Date of Award
June 2014
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Philosophy
Advisor(s)
Mark Heller
Keywords
Fundamentality, Grounding, Metametaphysics
Subject Categories
Arts and Humanities
Abstract
Ground is a distinctively metaphysical notion of explanation. Often expressed with the phrase `in virtue of', ground has recently found some popularity among metaphysicians. In this dissertation I argue that the notion is well understood and useful, but not primitive. I argue that we should analyze ground partly in terms of relative fundamentality. This analyzed notion of ground can not only do the work that a primitive notion can, but it is better equipped to respond to a number of objections and challenges that the notion faces. The dissertation ends by demonstrating this is the case and responding to objections.
Access
Open Access
Recommended Citation
Barber, Mark Graeme, "Ground and Relative Fundamentality" (2014). Dissertations - ALL. 46.
https://surface.syr.edu/etd/46
