Single Idea 19662

[catalogued under 7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 5. Reason for Existence]

Full Idea

It is necessary that there be something rather than nothing because it is necessarily contingent that there is something rather than something else.

Gist of Idea

It is necessarily contingent that there is one thing rather than another - so something must exist

Source

Quentin Meillassoux (After Finitude; the necessity of contingency [2006], 3)

Book Reference

Meillassoux: 'After Finitude: the necessity of contingency', ed/tr. Brassier,R [Bloomsbury 2008], p.76


A Reaction

The great charm of metaphysics is the array of serious answers to the question of why there is something rather than nothing. You'll need to read Meillassoux's book to understand this one.