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    Carmelics

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    Existence is not a real predicate that adds to the concep... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→There is a thing x and a magnitude m such that x exists in the understanding, and x exists in reality, and 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 > m.

    Existence is not a real predicate that adds to the concept of a thing, but merely posits the subject with all its predicates (Kant, 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 adds nothing to a concept's content: a hundred real dollars have identical properties to a hundred imagined dollars.
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    • 2.If existence were a predicate, we could meaningfully ask whether things with all other predicates actually exist—but this seems circular.
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    • 3.Existence merely instantiates a concept in reality rather than enriching the concept itself logically or semantically.
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    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
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    • 1.Existence appears functionally different from non-existence in measurable ways (causal powers, spatiotemporal location), suggesting real distinction.
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    • 2.If existence is never predicated, we cannot explain why 'unicorns exist' differs meaningfully from 'unicorns do not exist' logically.
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    • 3.Modern quantified logic treats existence claims as genuine predicates; rejecting this undermines standard logical analysis of existential statements.
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    Natural Theology1 linked

    Related

    Existence adds nothing to a concept's content: a hundred real dollars have ident...Existence appears functionally different from non-existence in measurable ways (...Existence merely instantiates a concept in reality rather than enriching the con...If existence is never predicated, we cannot explain why 'unicorns exist' differs...
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    If existence were a predicate, we could meaningfully ask whether things with all...Modern quantified logic treats existence claims as genuine predicates; rejecting...There is a thing x and a magnitude m such that x exists in the understanding, an...

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    2 (1 for, 1 against)
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