Single Idea 12438

[catalogued under 7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 11. Ontological Commitment / e. Ontological commitment problems]

Full Idea

There are no linguistic devices, no idioms (not 'there is', not 'exists') that unequivocally indicate ontological commitment in the vernacular.

Gist of Idea

In the vernacular there is no unequivocal ontological commitment

Source

Jody Azzouni (Deflating Existential Consequence [2004], Intro)

Book Reference

Azzouni,Jody: 'Deflating Existential Consequence' [OUP 2004], p.10


A Reaction

This seems right, since people talk in such ways about soap opera, while understanding the ontological situation perfectly well. Presumably Quine is seeking higher standards than the vernacular, if we are doing science.