Single Idea 7678

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

Full Idea

The entities included in a theoretical ontology are those minimally required for an adequate philosophical semantics. ...These are the objects that we say exist, to which we are ontologically committed.

Gist of Idea

Ontology must include the minimum requirements for our semantics

Source

Dale Jacquette (Ontology [2002], Pref)

Book Reference

Jacquette,Dale: 'Ontology' [Acumen 2002], p.-5


A Reaction

Worded with exquisite care! He does not say that ontology is reducible to semantics (which is a silly idea). We could still be committed, as in a ghost story, to existence of some 'nameless thing'. Things utterly beyond our ken might exist.