On a so-called demonstration of the causal power of absences

Oderberg, D. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9585-0515 (2019) On a so-called demonstration of the causal power of absences. Studia Neoaristotelica, 16 (1). pp. 141-148. ISSN 1804-6843 doi: 10.5840/studneoar20191614

Abstract/Summary

Tyron Goldschmidt has recently published a non-paper in which he claims to demonstrate the causal power of absences. His non-paper is, precisely, an empty page. The non-paper is ingenious and at first ‘glance’ the ‘reader’ might think that the absence of words on the page does prove that negative beings can literally cause states such as surprise or disappointment. Closer analysis, however, shows that Goldschmidt’s clever non-paper not only lacks words but also lacks causal power. Serious metaphysical problems pile up if we suppose otherwise.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/84646
Identification Number/DOI	10.5840/studneoar20191614
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Arts, Humanities and Social Science > School of Humanities > Philosophy
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