Single Idea 9469

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / G. Quantification / 4. Substitutional Quantification]

Full Idea

I argue (against Quine) that the existential quantifier substitutionally interpreted has a genuine claim to express a concept of existence, which may give the best account of linguistic abstract entities such as propositions, attributes, and classes.

Gist of Idea

Substitutional existential quantifier may explain the existence of linguistic entities

Source

Charles Parsons (A Plea for Substitutional Quantification [1971], p.156)

Book Reference

'Philosophy of Logic: an anthology', ed/tr. Jacquette,Dale [Blackwell 2002], p.156


A Reaction

Intuitively I have my doubts about this, since the whole thing sounds like a verbal and conventional game, rather than anything with a proper ontology. Ruth Marcus and Quine disagree over this one.