Single Idea 16963

[catalogued under 7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 11. Ontological Commitment / b. Commitment of quantifiers]

Full Idea

In the quantification '(∃)(x=a)', it is the existential quantifier, not the 'a' itself, which carries the existential import.

Gist of Idea

Existence is implied by the quantifiers, not by the constants

Source

Willard Quine (Existence and Quantification [1966], p.94)

Book Reference

Quine,Willard: 'Ontological Relativity and Other Essays' [Columbia 1969], p.94


A Reaction

The Fregean idea seems to be that the criterion of existence is participation in an equality, but here the equality seems not more than assigning a name. Why can't I quantify over 'sakes', in 'for the sake of the children'?