Response-Dependence, Explanatory Principles, and Missing Explanations

• Applicant: Dr. Miguel Hoeltje
• Subject Area: Theoretical Philosophy
• Term: from 2013 to 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 241597123

A widespread view in metaphysics has it that, while certain features of objects are had independently of any observers, other features are only exemplified in virtue of the way (possible) perceivers would react to the relevant objects. According to this view, e.g. shape-properties such as the roundness of this apple do not depend on our perceiving the apple to be round, while e.g. colour-properties such as the apple's redness are exemplified only because the apple would appear red to normal observers. The term 'response-dependent' found its way into the metaphysical vocabulary in the late 1980ies to classify the second group of properties and concepts. The initial aim was to clarify and generalize the traditional notion of a secondary (as opposed to a primary) quality in such a way that it could be applied to e.g. the concept of a moral value. The hope was that classifying a property as response-dependent would allow one to endorse a qualified realism with respect to the property and the objects that exemplify it. Since then, a wide ranging variety of philosophically highly interesting concepts and properties have been claimed to be response-dependent. However, the correct explication of the notion of response-dependence itself has remained controversial, and orthodox accounts face serious problems. This research project proposes a new explication of the notion of response-dependence in terms of the explanatory connective 'because'. Moreover, it proposes to understand the relevant notion of explanation in terms of the notion of metaphysical grounding. It will be argued that this new approach can solve the problems that beset previous accounts, and that it promises to throw new light on controversial issues and open questions.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: Spain
• Host: Professorin Genoveva Martí