Single Idea 14489

[catalogued under 7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 11. Ontological Commitment / d. Commitment of theories]

Full Idea

A theory does not avoid commitment to any entities by avoiding use of certain terms or concepts.

Gist of Idea

Theories do not avoid commitment to entities by avoiding certain terms or concepts

Source

Amie L. Thomasson (Ordinary Objects [2007], 09.4)

Book Reference

Thomasson,Amie L.: 'Ordinary Objects' [OUP 2010], p.167


A Reaction

This is a salutary warning to those who apply the notion of ontological commitment rather naively.

Related Idea

Idea 14490 You can be implicitly committed to something without quantifying over it [Thomasson on Quine]