Single Idea 23634

[catalogued under 7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 1. Nature of Existence]

Full Idea

The belief of the existence of anything seems to suppose a notion of existence - a notion too abstract, perhaps, to enter into the mind of an infant.

Gist of Idea

Accepting the existence of anything presupposes the notion of existence

Source

Thomas Reid (Essays on Intellectual Powers 2: Senses [1785], 05)

Book Reference

Reid,Thomas: 'Inquiry and Essays', ed/tr. Beanblossom /K.Lehrer [Hackett 1983], p.165


A Reaction

But even a small infant has to cope with the experience of waking up from a dream. I don't see how existence can be anything other than a primitive concept in any system of ontology.