God, Existence, and Fictional Objects: The Case for Meinongian Theism

God and fictional objects are central topics within philosophy, but rarely do the respective discussions overlap. Until now the two fields have remained independent. Applying the debate about fictional objects to issues of theology for the first time, John-Mark L. Miravalle bridges these two fields and presents a new approach to notions of God, creatures, and existence. Miravalle explains why meinongianism, which holds that certain things can serve as intentional objects with properties, even though they do not exist, can facilitate talk of nonexistence better than other metaphysical viewpoints, such as platonism, modal realism and pretense-theory. He identifies points of connection between theology and nonexistents and uses meinongianism to buttress the cosmological and ontological arguments for God’s existence. As a result he is able to explore fresh solutions to problems of classical theism, from the necessary existence of God and creation ex nihilo to free will and the problem of evil. By revealing how a particular account of fictional objects is especially harmonious with and supportive of the major claims of traditional theism, Miravalle makes a major contribution to theistic metaphysics.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction 2. Fictional Object Nominalism 3. Fictional Object Realism 4. Meinongianism 5. Contingency and Nonexistence 6. Perfection and Divine Existence 7. Ex Nihilo and Nonexistence 8. Infinite Existence and Countless Nonexistents 9. Nonexistents and Middle Knowledge 10. Evil as Nonexistence Bibliography Index

About the Author :
John-Mark Miravalle is Assistant Professor of Theology in the Seminary at Mount St. Mary's University, USA.

Review :
[The] book is successful in taking a fascinating and controversial thesis and applying it to a wide range of puzzles in analytic theology. The book is also clear, non-technical, and remarkably accessible given the subject matter, and I can imagine it easily at home in a seminar for advanced undergraduates. It will interest metaphysicians, philosophers of religion, and especially those working on metaphysical questions in philosophy of religion. I also think that it would be useful as a student text for advanced courses—a fun way to bring together and to bring to life a host of tricky puzzles in philosophy of religion. Miravalle’s writing is clear, his knowledge of the salient philosophical and theological issues expansive, and his chutzpah to defend an unfashionable view with originality and verve is admirable ... I recommend God, Existence, and Fictional Objects as an example of the best kind of philosophical theology: that which moves our minds and hearts to worship and praise of the divine. What if the modern dogma that “existence is not a [first-order] predicate” has obscured fundamental theological insights about God and creation? With ambition and force, Miravalle defends the view that existence characterizes some things and not others, and shows that rightly conceptualizing non-existence and non-existent things is crucial for appreciating central claims and arguments of classical theism. The book is an admirable example of serious work in analytic theology by providing a fascinating twist on the perennial question, “How does nothing play a role in the coming to be of something?” By ably defending a meinongian approach to non-existent things, Miravalle signals a way past the seeming difficulties spawned by Russell’s analysis of non-existence and his legacy for classical theism. Filled with easy intuitions and cogent argumentation across a variety of thorny philosophical and theological contexts, the book insightfully defends and applies the meinongian point of view. The reader will be surprised by the way in which the meinongian position is a natural fit with seemingly disconnected philosophical and theological perspectives. Whereas future scholars will be sure to test the metaphysical claims made, it is certain that they will face a formidable defender of the positions to be found in this book. Can we afford not to abide by Frege's third principle? Does it make sense to extract just one proposition from the coherent whole of Meinong's philosophy? Miravalle's answer to both questions is in the affirmative. It is interesting to see the author follow this path with abundant argument and engagement with a wide variety of thinkers. An original and intriguing theistic project which applies a Meinongian metaphysical framework to central issues in the philosophy of religion. The book is timely: there have been a number of recent books championing opposed positions (and none championing the position taken in this book). We might have here the most sweeping and ambitious treatment in the history of philosophy ... Miravalle carries it off—in style. The prose is elegant, and there’s verve, humor, and charming illustrations. Part of the fun of this volume lies in discovering totally forgotten works that ran for year after year and contrasting those with pieces that seemed to be incredibly popular but failed to make the grade … This is a book that will prove both informative and entertaining, reminding readers of changes in society over the last 80 years, at the same time as showing them how theatrical popularity moves with the times … Good Nights Out is genuinely a great read. The prose is elegant, and there’s verve, humor, and charming illustrations.