more from Willard Quine

Single Idea 19487

[catalogued under 19. Language / E. Analyticity / 3. Analytic and Synthetic]

Full Idea

If there is no proper distinction between analytic and synthetic, then no basis at all remains for the contrast which Carnap urges between ontological statements and empirical statements of existence. Ontology then ends up on a par with natural science.

Gist of Idea

Without the analytic/synthetic distinction, Carnap's ontology/empirical distinction collapses

Source

Willard Quine (On Carnap's Views on Ontology [1951], p.211)

Book Reference

Quine,Willard: 'Ways of Paradox and other essays' [Harvard 1976], p.211


A Reaction

Carnap says ontology is relative to a linguistic framework. 'External' ontology is empty. This quotation gives Quine's main motivation for denying the analytic/synthetic distinction.