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Single Idea 18766

[filed under theme 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 4. Impossible objects ]

Full Idea

The paradox of negative existentials says that if 's' does not designate something, then the sentence 's is non-existent' is untrue.

Gist of Idea

's is non-existent' cannot be said if 's' does not designate

Source

C. Anthony Anderson (Identity and Existence in Logic [2014], 2.1)

Book Ref

'Bloomsbury Companion to Philosophical Logic', ed/tr. Horsten,L/Pettigrew,R [Bloomsbury 2014], p.63

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A Reaction

This only seems be a problem for logicians. Everyone else can happily say 'my coffee is non-existent'.