The non-existence of institutional facts

Abstract That certain paper bills have monetary value, that Vladimir Putin is the president of Russia, and Prince Philip husband Queen Elizabeth II: such facts are commonly called ‘institutional facts’ (IFF). IFF are, by definition, exist virtue collective recognition (where can be direct or indirect). The standard view tacit belief really exist. In this we argue, however, they do not—they just well-established illusions. We confront realism about with six criteria existence, three established less so but highly intuitive. argue all tell against existence IFF. An obvious objection to non-realism since people’s behaviour clearly reflects IFF, denying their leaves an explanatory gap. reject argument introducing a variant so-called ‘Thomas Theorem,’ which says when people collectively recognize fact as existing, largely behave accordingly, regardless whether exists not.