And colloquially, to say that something exists only as a concept in your mind is simply a different way of saying that something doesn't exist (consider: a conspiracy theory, an imaginary friend, etc) — busycuttingcrap
Yep: I'm not sure if this was intended as a counter-example, but I actually think that it is a good example: for one thing, you could come up with a worse summary of the realist/anti-realist debate RE abstract objects than the dispute between those who think that e.g. numbers exist "only in the mind" and those who do not. — busycuttingcrap
I don't follow how you can say:
X exists in the mind
∴ X doesn't exist — Heracloitus
No, I don't see any contradiction in saying that there does not exist a plump old man living at the North Pole delivering presents to children on Christmas, but that there does exist a body of literary/oral traditions involving such a character..............And colloquially, to say that something exists only as a concept in your mind is simply a different way of saying that something doesn't exist (consider: a conspiracy theory, an imaginary friend, etc) — busycuttingcrap
But, Santa's ontology exists in the fictional realm. Why do people conflate the two? — Shawn
What does "'exist' in a formal sense" even mean here? — busycuttingcrap
Why do people conflate existing in a realm with existing in a realm-diagram or a realm-description? — bongo fury
At most we can say that the concept of Santa Claus exists (if you don't mind the untenable language about concepts existing "in" minds), not that Santa Claus exists (because he doesn't- he is fictional). — busycuttingcrap
I was asking what exactly you think is THE formal definition of "exists" in philosophy — busycuttingcrap
Is that what we mean when we say Santa Claus exists? That the concept of Santa Claus exists? If that is what we mean, why don't we just say that instead? — busycuttingcrap
Santa, do you exist? — Agent Smith
You tell me Smith, do I exist? — Santa Claus
If I knew I wouldn't ask. — Agent Smith
Don't you like me Smith? — Santa Claus
Get involved in philosophical discussions about knowledge, truth, language, consciousness, science, politics, religion, logic and mathematics, art, history, and lots more. No ads, no clutter, and very little agreement — just fascinating conversations.