Single Idea 10454

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / C. Ontology of Logic / 1. Ontology of Logic]

Full Idea

In standard logic we can't straightforwardly say that n exists. We have to resort to using a formula like '∃x(x=n)', but we can't deny n's existence by negating that formula, because standard first-order logic disallows empty names.

Gist of Idea

In first-order we can't just assert existence, and it is very hard to deny something's existence

Source

Kent Bach (What Does It Take to Refer? [2006], 22.2 L1)

Book Reference

'Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Language', ed/tr. Lepore,E/Smith,B [OUP 2008], p.538