A Place for Artifacts

Abstract

In this paper, I show how it is possible to allow for the existence of artifacts within a neo-Aristotelian conceptual framework. In order to do this, I show the main features of the mainstream Quinean approach to ontology, I then expose the main features of the neo-Aristotelian metaphysics and introduce some key notions such as sortal concepts and criteria of identity, and finally, I propose a criterion of identity for artifacts based on Evnine’s doctrine of amorphism. I also propose a solution to a possible objection to amorphism.