Università di Firenze, November, 30, 2021, h. 10.00-11.00 CET

After drawing two preliminary distinctions between relations as universals and relations as modes and between internal and external relations, we reflect upon the connection between truthmaking and internal relations. We argue that, in order to dispense with internal relations, it is not enough to provide non-relational truthmakers for the latter. We then examine Lowe's survey of critical arguments against the existence of external relations ("Why there are (probably) no relations", 2017) and reply to them; in so doing we dwell on four different types of relations (intentional, causal, temporal and spatial). Finally, we confront a traditional problem regarding the location of relational accidents and a recent argument against relations by Della Rocca (The Parmenidean Ascent, 2020) concerning the explanation of why relations are supposed to hold.

Audio