ABSTRACT
Each premise is intuitively plausible and seemingly innocuous. But, the conclusion is clearly incredible. In this essay, I assume that the conclusion is false
and develop a novel response to the argument.1 First, I present the Russellian theory of propositions along with an amendment to that theory according to which there are gappy propositions. Second, I argue for an unusual extension of that theory of propositions under the assumption that there are contingent existents and show how a defender of this unusual theory might respond to Williamson’s argument. Third, I consider and respond to an objection to this version of Russellianism. Finally, I show how the theory may be employed to defend the Linguistic Ersatzist from the problem of aliens, or contingent non-existents.2
