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Single Idea 2611

[filed under theme 7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 11. Ontological Commitment / b. Commitment of quantifiers ]

Full Idea

It is currently held that we are committed to a belief in the existence of anything over which we quantify.

Clarification

'Quantifying over' something is asserting that there is at least one instance with the relevant property

Gist of Idea

It is currently held that quantifying over something implies belief in its existence

Source

A.J. Ayer (The Central Questions of Philosophy [1973], IX.C)

Book Ref

Ayer,A.J.: 'The Central Questions of Philosophy' [Penguin 1976], p.204