Arguments for Realist Modal Fictionalism

Abstract

In my previous papers I presented a new theory of modal fictionalism, which I called “hybrid modal fictionalism” (HMF). HMF can be described using three central metaphysical concepts. First of all, it is a fictionalist account, as it takes the theory of possible worlds and the possible worlds themselves to be useful fictions. Despite this approach, HMF is a realist theory, because it says that fictions and fictional entities exist. Finally, one can raise the question: if fictional entities exist, what ontological category do they fit in? In HMF, they are abstract artifacts. So far I have only proved the consistency of HMF, but in this paper I take a step forward towards arguing that HMF is a plausible and appealing option, preferable to other theories of modality.