Can the Cure for Metaphysical Realism Work? –The Case of Donald Davidson

Abstract

In this paper, I will examine Donald Davidsons attempt to overcome Metaphysical Realism (henceforth, MR). But, merely saying that he tries to overcome MR has a possibility to mislead the readers. It is true that Davidson wants to reject several tenets of MR that has been traditionally regarded as fundamental elements. However, it is not the case that his rejection has led him to be committed to Anti-Realism considered as an opposite position to MR. While it is generally said that anti-realists argue that objects are mind-dependent, Davidson strongly denies this claim and argues that his view retains the point that how things are in the world is a matter independent of our minds. In other words, his view contains his effort to retain the traditional concept of objectivity, which is understood as the existence of objects independent of minds of the subjects. This objectivity, in Davidsons view, is inexplicably related to the concept of truth. Thus, Davidsons concept of truth takes the center of the discussion of this paper.