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VIII
THE PROBLEM OF NEGATION
The problem of negation is one of the most important problems in epistemology. The problem is perplexing as the concept of negation is complex. Since epistemology is concerned with the knowledge of reality, particularly in realistic epistemology, the problem of the meaning and objective reference of a proposition assumes significant form.
As we do not find a negative fact in the world, the problem of the determination of the truth of a negative proposition becomes difficult. A negative proposition asserts the absence of a property. It is, therefore, wondered how the truth of a statement which denies some property of an individual could be verified by a fact which is admittedly positive. In the negative judgement like "This book is not on the table' there is no perception of any negative object on the table. Therefore, the question regarding the object of a negative judgement arises; though it might seem paradoxical to speak of an object of a negative judgement. Unless we assume that things also have negative characters, we cannot in negative statement claim to characterize a thing. A true negative judgement describes a true situation and if truth
