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Single Idea 19204

[catalogued under 19. Language / D. Propositions / 2. Abstract Propositions / a. Propositions as sense]

Full Idea

1,000 years ago, no sentence had ever expressed, and no one had believed, the true proposition 'a water molecule has two hydrogen and one oxygen atoms'. There are surely true propositions that have never been, and never will be, expressed or believed.

Gist of Idea

True propositions existed prior to their being thought, and might never be thought

Source

Trenton Merricks (Propositions [2015], 1.V)

Book Reference

Merricks,Trenton: 'Propositions' [OUP 2015], p.22


A Reaction

'Surely'? Surely not! How many propositions exist? Where do they exist? What are they made of? If they already exist when we think them, how do we tune into them? When did his example come into existence? Before water did? No! No!