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    Without a genuine proposition, there is no truth-apt cont... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→True propositions can be stated about non-existent objects.

    Without a genuine proposition, there is no truth-apt content, so 'true propositions about non-existents' is a category error.

    ?Rate how convincing each reason is below to see the overall strength.
    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Truth requires a correspondence between a proposition and reality. Non-existent entities lack the reality needed for such correspondence.
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    • 2.A proposition about a non-existent presupposes the existence of its subject, making the proposition self-undermining and not genuinely truth-apt.
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    • 3.Allowing truth-apt content about non-existents collapses the distinction between meaningful discourse and logical contradiction.
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    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Negative existential statements like 'Unicorns don't exist' are clearly true and about non-existents, contradicting the claim.
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    • 2.Mathematical and fictional statements (e.g., 'In Hamlet, Ophelia drowns') are truth-apt without requiring their objects to exist independently.
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    • 3.Truth-aptness depends on meaningful reference and consistent logical structure, not metaphysical existence of the referent.
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    Connections

    2 topics

    Truth & Knowledge1 linkedPhilosophy of Language1 linked

    Related

    A proposition about a non-existent presupposes the existence of its subject, mak...Allowing truth-apt content about non-existents collapses the distinction between...Mathematical and fictional statements (e.g., 'In Hamlet, Ophelia drowns') are tr...Negative existential statements like 'Unicorns don't exist' are clearly true and...
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    True propositions can be stated about non-existent objects.Truth requires a correspondence between a proposition and reality. Non-existent ...Truth-aptness depends on meaningful reference and consistent logical structure, ...

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    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
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