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The Metaphysics of gender is (Relatively) substantial

Publication ,  Journal Article
Richardson, K
Published in: Philosophy and Phenomenological Research
July 1, 2023

According to Sider, a question is metaphysically substantive just in case it has a single most natural answer. Recently, Barnes and Mikkola have argued that, given this notion of substantivity, many of the central questions in the metaphysics of gender are nonsubstantive. Specifically, it is plausible that gender pluralism—the view that there are multiple, equally natural gender kinds—is true, but this view seems incompatible with the substantivity of gender. The goal of this paper is to argue that the notion of substantivity can be understood in a way that accommodates gender pluralism. First, I claim that gender terms (at least as used in the ontology room) are referentially indeterminate, where referential indeterminacy holds in virtue of the way the world is. Second, I propose a degree-theoretic (or scalar) account of metaphysical substantivity; genders are substantial to the degree that they are determinate. I conclude that gender is relatively, although not absolutely, substantial.

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Published In

Philosophy and Phenomenological Research

DOI

EISSN

1933-1592

ISSN

0031-8205

Publication Date

July 1, 2023

Volume

107

Issue

1

Start / End Page

192 / 207

Related Subject Headings

  • Philosophy
  • 5003 Philosophy
  • 2203 Philosophy
 

Citation

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Richardson, K. (2023). The Metaphysics of gender is (Relatively) substantial. Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, 107(1), 192–207. https://doi.org/10.1111/phpr.12916
Richardson, K. “The Metaphysics of gender is (Relatively) substantial.” Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 107, no. 1 (July 1, 2023): 192–207. https://doi.org/10.1111/phpr.12916.
Richardson K. The Metaphysics of gender is (Relatively) substantial. Philosophy and Phenomenological Research. 2023 Jul 1;107(1):192–207.
Richardson, K. “The Metaphysics of gender is (Relatively) substantial.” Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, vol. 107, no. 1, July 2023, pp. 192–207. Scopus, doi:10.1111/phpr.12916.
Richardson K. The Metaphysics of gender is (Relatively) substantial. Philosophy and Phenomenological Research. 2023 Jul 1;107(1):192–207.
Journal cover image

Published In

Philosophy and Phenomenological Research

DOI

EISSN

1933-1592

ISSN

0031-8205

Publication Date

July 1, 2023

Volume

107

Issue

1

Start / End Page

192 / 207

Related Subject Headings

  • Philosophy
  • 5003 Philosophy
  • 2203 Philosophy