Single Idea 8496

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

Full Idea

Ontological controversy tends into controversy over language, but we must not jump to the conclusion that what there is depends on words.

Gist of Idea

What actually exists does not, of course, depend on language

Source

Willard Quine (On What There Is [1948], p.16)

Book Reference

Quine,Willard: 'From a Logical Point of View' [Harper and Row 1963], p.16


A Reaction

An important corrective to my constant whinge against philosophers who treat ontology as if it were semantics, of whom Quine is the central villain. Quine was actually quite a sensible chap.