is the idea of existence in itself an idea that can be
confirmed or denied?
not I think by observation
in that what we perceive is particular
rather it is a matter of reasoning
x exists
therefore
existence
the argument that the particular can only exist given
the universal of which it is an instance
the idea of existence is therefore - on this argument
a necessary conception
unless you are prepared to argue - particulars -
all particulars exist in a void
and have no reason - for their existence
so existence is what?
it is difficult to see what can be said here
to assert the existence of x
pure and simple is to ?
assert - that_________
existence is no predicate?
i.e. - it is to say nothing of a thing
only 'that'
is it no more than - assertion?
to assert - that
and such an assertion - that x exists is to make
a logical assertion
one that is - in it's fundamental form - is true
if it is not a contradiction
the question of the character of x
is as Quine has put it - the question of value
of the variable
the existential status - of x - is a question of content
the bald assertion - 'x exists' - as such is contentless -
in fact
the existential statement as such - has no content
the nature of that which is being asserted is a question
of knowledge -
not existence per se
ironically - to say something exists - is to say nothing
but as to existence - as a universal - the ground of being -
if you like
how does this fare?
as I suggested above it is more in the line of a logical move
an argument about the basis of particularity
which is only an argument
there is no necessity here
i.e. - the world just may be particular things in a void
I find the idea strange - but nevertheless - it's open to
argument
and if so
we cannot hold the concept of existence in itself as anything
other than
a theory of ontology
