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Full Idea
The totality of what exists, including what has existed and what will exist, is infinitely small in comparison with the totality of Objects of knowledge.
Gist of Idea
The objects of knowledge are far more numerous than objects which exist
Source
Alexius Meinong (The Theory of Objects [1904]), quoted by William Lycan - The Trouble with Possible Worlds 01
Book Ref
'The Possible and the Actual', ed/tr. Loux,Michael J. [Cornell 1979], p.276
A Reaction
This is rather profound, but the word 'object' doesn't help. I would say 'What we know concerns far more than what merely exists'.
| 8250 | So-called 'free logic' operates without existence assumptions [Meinong, by George/Van Evra] |
| 8719 | There can be impossible and contradictory objects, if they can have properties [Meinong, by Friend] |
| 8971 | There are objects of which it is true that there are no such objects [Meinong] |
| 8718 | Meinong says an object need not exist, but must only have properties [Meinong, by Friend] |
| 7756 | Meinong said all objects of thought (even self-contradictions) have some sort of being [Meinong, by Lycan] |
| 15781 | The objects of knowledge are far more numerous than objects which exist [Meinong] |