Zeitschrift | Band | Artikel
Quantification and ontology
pp. 1-43
Abstrakt
Quineans have taken the basic expression of ontological commitment to be an assertion of the form '∃ x φ', assimilated to theEnglish 'there is something that is a φ'. Here I take the existential quantifier to be introduced, not as an abbreviation for an expression of English, but via Tarskian semantics. I argue, contrary to the standard view, that Tarskian semantics in fact suggests a quite different picture: one in which quantification is of a substitutional type apparently first proposed by Geach. The ontological burden is borne by constant symbols, and truth is defined separately from reference.
Publication details
Published in:
(2000) Synthese 124 (1).
Seiten: 1-43
Referenz:
Lavine Shaughan (2000) „Quantification and ontology“. Synthese 124 (1), 1–43.