Existence and the existential quantifier |
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Authors: | Gabriel Oak Rabin |
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Affiliation: | Philosophy Program, New York University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and New York University, USA |
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Abstract: | This paper draws a distinction between the existential quantifier and the symbol ‘∃’ used to express it, on the one hand, and existence and ‘exists’, on the other. It argues that some popular arguments in metaphysics, including arguments against vague existence and arguments against deflationary metaontology (which views ontological disputes as lacking substance), are guilty of fudging this distinction. The paper draws some lessons for metaphysical debate about existence and highlights some heretofore ignored and attractive positions in logical space. |
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Keywords: | metaontology ontology existence existential quantification metametaphysics ontology reference magnetism vague existence vagueness |
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