more from Tim Maudlin

Single Idea 16258

[catalogued under 7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 11. Ontological Commitment / d. Commitment of theories]

Full Idea

The doctrine of ontological commitment becomes a central element in a theory of ontology if one merely adds that a particular theory is, in fact, true

Gist of Idea

To get an ontology from ontological commitment, just add that some theory is actually true

Source

Tim Maudlin (The Metaphysics within Physics [2007], 3.1)

Book Reference

Maudlin,Tim: 'The Metaphysics within Physics' [OUP 2007], p.81


A Reaction

Helpful. I don't think the truth of a theory entails the actual existence of every component mentioned in the theory, as some of them may be generalisations, abstractions, vague, or even convenient linking fictions.