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Full Idea
If there is no proper distinction between analytic and synthetic, then no basis at all remains for the contrast which Carnap urges between ontological statements and empirical statements of existence. Ontology then ends up on a par with natural science.
Gist of Idea
Without the analytic/synthetic distinction, Carnap's ontology/empirical distinction collapses
Source
Willard Quine (On Carnap's Views on Ontology [1951], p.211)
Book Ref
Quine,Willard: 'Ways of Paradox and other essays' [Harvard 1976], p.211
A Reaction
Carnap says ontology is relative to a linguistic framework. 'External' ontology is empty. This quotation gives Quine's main motivation for denying the analytic/synthetic distinction.
| 19487 | Without the analytic/synthetic distinction, Carnap's ontology/empirical distinction collapses [Quine] |
| 3087 | The analytic/synthetic distinction is a silly division of thought into encyclopaedia and dictionary [Harman] |
| 4890 | A sharp analytic/synthetic line can rarely be drawn, but some concepts are central to thought [Perry] |
| 2473 | Analysis is impossible without the analytic/synthetic distinction [Fodor] |
| 9368 | Epistemological analyticity: grasp of meaning is justification; metaphysical: truth depends on meaning [Boghossian] |
| 4717 | If we abandon the analytic-synthetic distinction, scepticism about meaning may be inevitable [O'Grady] |
| 22152 | Aristotelians accept the analytic-synthetic distinction [Boulter] |