“本体论承诺”问题的内涵与意义——谈蒯因的《论何物存在》

The Intension and Sense of "Ontological Promise"

蒯因在当代形而上学的复兴事业中扮演了举足轻重的角色,他采取从语义逻辑与整体论的角度来考察本体论问题的策略,从而使存在论问题从事实走向承诺,从经验证实走向语言使用。这种影响是巨大而深远的,它不仅体现在“促使他提出了整体主义知识观,并促使逻辑实证主义转变为逻辑实用主义”,更重要的是体现为对整个经验论基础的根本性摧毁。

Quine has played a significant role in the revival of contemporary metaphysics. From the perspectives of semantic logic and holism, he has reconsidered the ontological problem. On the basis of the reconsideration, he has shifted the focus from facts to promise in the formulation of ontological problem, and from verification to the usage of language. The influences thus incurred are tremendous and significant. They are shown not only in the making of his proposal of a holistic epistemology but also in the transformation from logical positivism to logical pragmatism. More, importantly, the influences am felt in a fundamental and total destruction of the basis of empricism.