Naomi Thompson: Fictionalism about Grounding

Part of the Royal Institute of Philosophy's 2016 London Lecture series: Metaphysics.

Grounding talk has become increasingly familiar in contemporary philosophical discussion. Most discussants of grounding think that grounding talk is useful, intelligible, and accurately describes metaphysical reality. Call them realists about grounding. Some dissenters reject grounding talk on the grounds that it is unintelligible, or unmotivated. They would prefer to eliminate grounding talk from philosophy, so we can call them eliminitivists about grounding. This lecture outlines a new position in the debate about grounding, defending the view that grounding talk is (or at least can be) intelligible and useful.