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    Existence is not a magnitude or perfection that admits of... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→For any thing x and magnitude m, if m is the magnitude of x, and it is not possible that there is a thing y and a magnitude n such that n is the magnitude of y and n is greater than m, and x does not exist in reality, then it is not possible that if x exists in reality then there is a magnitude n such that n is greater than m and n is the magnitude of x.

    Existence is not a magnitude or perfection that admits of degrees, as Kant argued in the Critique of Pure Reason.

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    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
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    • 1.Existence is a binary property: things either exist or do not exist, with no intermediate states possible.
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    • 2.Predicates describing perfections (wisdom, power) admit degrees, but existence itself is presupposed by any degree-bearer.
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    • 3.Treating existence as a magnitude confuses the logical copula 'is' with predicative properties that things can possess.
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    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Degrees of existence appear real: potential vs. actual entities, shadows vs. substances, and mathematical abstracts vs. physical objects.
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    • 2.Medieval philosophers (Aquinas, Avicenna) defended existence-as-degree via essence-existence distinction in contingent beings.
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    • 3.Kant himself acknowledged degrees in appearance and phenomenal manifestation, suggesting existence admits graded expression.
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    Natural Theology1 linked

    Related

    Degrees of existence appear real: potential vs. actual entities, shadows vs. sub...Existence is a binary property: things either exist or do not exist, with no int...For any thing x and magnitude m, if m is the magnitude of x, and it is not possi...Kant himself acknowledged degrees in appearance and phenomenal manifestation, su...
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    Medieval philosophers (Aquinas, Avicenna) defended existence-as-degree via essen...Predicates describing perfections (wisdom, power) admit degrees, but existence i...Treating existence as a magnitude confuses the logical copula 'is' with predicat...

    Details

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    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
    Edits
    1 edit