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    The inference from '∃x Human(x)' to 'humanity exists' is ... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→Entailment accounts of ontological commitment handle implicit ontological commitment correctly, unlike quantifier accounts.

    The inference from '∃x Human(x)' to 'humanity exists' is valid only given a prior substantive metaphysical assumption that predicates denote universals.

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    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

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    Reason for
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    • 1.The existential quantifier '∃x' ranges over objects satisfying predicates, requiring those predicates to have determinate extension.
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    • 2.Without universals, predicates become merely linguistic conventions, making '∃x Human(x)' true only of word-usage, not reality.
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    • 3.Inferring 'humanity exists' from '∃x Human(x)' treats humanity as an abstract object; this requires predicates to denote mind-independent universals.
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    Reasons Against

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    Reason against
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    • 1.First-order quantification can be interpreted purely nominally: '∃x Human(x)' means 'some concrete particular is human' without universals.
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    • 2.'Humanity exists' may simply report the instantiation of a pattern across particulars, not require commitment to abstract entities.
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    • 3.The inference's validity depends on how 'humanity exists' is parsed, not necessarily on prior metaphysical assumptions about universals.
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    Modality & Possibility1 linkedPhilosophy of Language1 linked

    Related

    'Humanity exists' may simply report the instantiation of a pattern across partic...Entailment accounts of ontological commitment handle implicit ontological commit...First-order quantification can be interpreted purely nominally: '∃x Human(x)' me...Inferring 'humanity exists' from '∃x Human(x)' treats humanity as an abstract ob...
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    The existential quantifier '∃x' ranges over objects satisfying predicates, requi...The inference's validity depends on how 'humanity exists' is parsed, not necessa...Without universals, predicates become merely linguistic conventions, making '∃x ...

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    2 (1 for, 1 against)
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