What Could Vague Objects Possibly Be?

Abstract

In recent work, Elizabeth Barnes and Robbie Williams have attempted to vindicate the intelligibility of the notion metaphysical vagueness. I argue that working negative characterizations of vague objects are satisfactory in so far as they go, but precisely due to its negative nature, they fall short of vindicating per se the intelligibility of the characterized notion. Furthermore, and following Matti Eklund, I argue that the considerations provided by Barnes and Williams do not advance the dialectical situation in connection with this, and I offer some reasons to find their rejoinder wanting. In the second part of this chapter, I summarize Evans’s argument and its significance. I then voice some concerns regarding the particular response offered by Williams, and I explore a more general worry that arises for the discussion by Barnes and Williams.