What Do Propositions explain? Inflationary vs deflationary perspectives and the case of singular propositions

Abstract

In this paper we take up the question of the explanatory signifcance of the notion of propositional content. Our frst goal is to disentangle two types of approach: According to what we call infationism, propositions should be taken seriously enough to expect explanatory payofs from them. The alternative defationary rejects this claim. Our second goal is to explore the infationism vs. defationism contrast in depth by focusing on the distinction between singular and general propositions. We argue that infationism fails and outline a variety of defationism that ofers the best prospects for explaining the singular/general divide.