Single Idea 18499

[catalogued under 7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 11. Ontological Commitment / e. Ontological commitment problems]

Full Idea

Looking at what you quantify over reveals, at most, truths to which you are committed. What the ontology is, what the truthmakers are for these truths, is another matter, one tackled, if at all, only in the pursuit of fundamental physics.

Gist of Idea

Our quantifications only reveal the truths we accept; the ontology and truthmakers are another matter

Source

John Heil (The Universe as We Find It [2012], 08.08)

Book Reference

Heil,John: 'The Universe as We Find It' [OUP 2012], p.171


A Reaction

Exactly right. Nouns don't guarantee objects, verbs don't guarantee processes. If you want to know my ontological commitments, ask me about them! Don't infer them from the sentences I hold true, because they need interpreting.