Is Timothy Williamson a Necessary Existent?

AbstractTimothy Williamson has offered an argument for the claim that, necessarily, he exists, that is, that he is a necessary existent. Though this argument has attracted a great deal of attention, a new argument is presented for the same conclusion which reveals a new way of denying the soundness of Williamson's argument, one which denies not only that it is necessary that he exists but also that there are any true necessities about Williamson at all. In conclusion, given that it is contingent that Williamson exists, nevertheless, a sense in which he is, after all, a necessary existent is distinguished: Williamson necessarily exists, though it is not necessary that he exists.