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Numerical Difference and Absolute Non-Existence
55
X to exist, unless we either directly perceive X itself, or else perceive Y, whose existence involves the existence of X. Thus our belief in the proposition "something exists" depends upon “perception.” “No proposition is true” is a self-contradictory proposition, for, if it were true, then it, together with all other propositions, would not be true. But the truth of “nothing exists” is not inconsistent with itself, though it is inconsistent with the assertion of itself, or even the contemplation of itself, by any person. Thus "something exists" is not a proposition of which we can be certain by pure logic, as we are of the proposition "something is true.”! The sceptic may insist that though the existence of something may be conceded, this will not afford any proof of the reality of relation. But we shall show that the admission of existence perforce involves the existence of qualities. “For existence is not a term which has no reference beyond itself, so that it would be sufficient to say that the nature of that which exists is that it is existent. To say that something exists inevitably raises the question what this something is. And that question must be answered by asserting something of it other than its existence.” “It remains true that something exists, but of that something, something besides its existence must be true. Now that which is true of something is a quality of that something. And therefore whatever is existent must have some quality besides existence, which is itself a quality." The denial of quality and so also of relation is self-contradictory. "Not only the possession of this or that quality but the non-possession of these qualities would give the existent a nature beyond its existence. ... If we stop with existence, and refuse to go any further, the existent is a perfect and absolute blank, and to say that only this exists is equivalent to saying that nothing exists. We should thus be involved in a contradiction, since starting with the premise that something existed, we should arrive at the conclusion that nothing exists.” Now what is true of quality is also true of relation. If we deny that anything stands in a relation to some
1. The Nature of Existence by McTaggart, Vol. I, p. 59. 2. The Nature of Existence by McTaggart, Vol. I, pp. 60-61. 3. Ibid.
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