Seemings

Abstract

This article explores the nature of seemings, mental states in which things seem to be a certain way. It argues that seemings are intentional states that causally and epistemically support believing the content of the seeming. Like beliefs, seemings have a mind to world direction of fit. Unlike beliefs, they are subject to a prima facie/all things considered distinction. Seemings are distinguished, not only from beliefs, but also from mere appearances, states in which things ’look’ to be a certain way’ but which do not incline their subjects to belief. Following the articulation of a general account of seemings, the nature of experiential seemings is examined. These are states in which an object is present to a subject as being a certain way. It is argued that the objects some experiential seemings are abstracta, e.g., numbers.