Single Idea 6124

[catalogued under 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 1. Physical Objects]

Full Idea

I argue against the existence of most of the objects alleged to exist by what we might call 'folk ontology'.

Clarification

'Ontology' is the theory of what exists

Gist of Idea

I say that most of the objects of folk ontology do not exist

Source

Trenton Merricks (Objects and Persons [2003], §1)

Book Reference

Merricks,Trenton: 'Objects and Persons' [OUP 2003], p.1


A Reaction

This is the programme for Merricks's heroic book, denying (quite plausibly) the need for large objects in our ontology. It seems that ontology must multiply its entities prodigiously, or else be austere in the extreme. Is there no middle way?