more from David M. Armstrong

Single Idea 18382

[catalogued under 3. Truth / B. Truthmakers / 6. Making Negative Truths]

Full Idea

Each of the arctic animals is by its nature different from a penguin, so this general state of affairs seems truthmaker enough for this negative existential. Similarly, the totality of all birds eliminates the phoenix.

Clarification

There are no penguins in the Arctic! The phoenix does not exist!

Gist of Idea

The nature of arctic animals is truthmaker for the absence of penguins there

Source

David M. Armstrong (Truth and Truthmakers [2004], 06.2)

Book Reference

Armstrong,D.M.: 'Truth and Truthmakers' [CUP 2004], p.76


A Reaction

Why is it 'animals' in one case, and 'birds' in the other? What if there was no life in arctic? Would the snow then do the job? This doesn't seem to work.