Is it possible to logically refute existence?

Question

Using principles of argument given by the philosophy of logic, is it possible to refute existence itself?

People refute the existence of many things, including the existence of God. But I have always understood "God" to be the personification of Existence itself. How can anyone refute Existence?

Before you answer, remember: the existence of God is not my question, but the existence of existence.

The obstacle that I find is that the concept of existence is synonymous with all forms of the concept "to be". Hrm.

Answer 1

The Philosophy of Logic is not necessarily dependent upon any given language. Human languages have evolved as object-oriented and action-oriented conceptual systems in the realm of matter-energy and space-time. Thus, only concepts based in Existence can be described with them. Hence, The "to be" paradox.

Even the concept of "Nothing" itself bears an existence.

Quantum mechanics declares that matter can appear from nothingness under some circumstances, but does not refute existence itself.

There is the argument that we are the dream of those in another realm which we consider to be our dream. But existence as a concept underlies even that interpretation.

If Oblivion were to swallow the Universe including all Time, then existence would become rendered meaningless; Oblivion, being as real as any other concept, must manifest to be valid, therefore, we may safely assume ...

Answer 2

The Gnostics believed in different things. You're acting like this the discovery of the century. Seriously, you should study EArly Christianity. The early popes and the bishops were very well aware of all of these teachings and there are numerous commentaries made on it. Anyway, I appreciate your enthusiasm, but you don't have to act like it's all weird and stuff, it's a difference in belief. I like Gnosticism actually, I wish more Christians would become more familiar with it, instead of just leaving it around so that others can pick it up, and throw the dodge ball towards Christians as a surprise present.

Answer 3

Try this on for size (no pun intended):
Take the word "universe" to mean everything that exists - all time, space, matter, energy, any spiritual existence, all dimensions.
Nothing exists that is not part of the universe - there is nothing outside of the universe (not even space).
For something to have a size and a shape, there must be space around it, and something external to compare it to. The universe has neither, and therefore, has no size or shape. Similarly, for something to have a duration, there must be time that is external to it to mark its boundaries.
Something with no size, shape or duration doesn't exist.
Therefore, the Universe does not exist.

SO let's put on ball gowns, go to Perkins and drink coffee from the pot!

Answer 4

By rules of Greek logic, especially the deductive type, you can prove that anything that isn't one of two given alternatives must be the other one, as long as each alternative is possible and a true alternative - such as: we either exist or we don't exist.

I'm not going to tell you exactly how to do it, but the secret is in understanding that this sort of logic gives an either yes or no result rather than dealing in probabilities.

And you can always refer to the poet/philosopher, William Shakespeare, for inspiration. "To be, or not to be ---" But enough of these hints.
And nobody else here seems to have the slightest clue as to the real import of your question.

Answer 5

I think that the fact that every person experiences the same thing differently proves that no thing has any inherent reality. Everything is created by the mind. This is a central theme of Buddhism. Existence is largely a delusion.

Answer 6

I'm not claiming to be able to answer this, or to know anything on the subject, but your question did bring to mind the construct of reality. Each person creates their own reality by bringing together their perceptions, experiences, and beliefs. Could this be an argument against existence? I don't know. But nothing exists outside of our own existence.

Answer 7

If you refute it, who's going to to refute it?

'Reducto ad Abserdum' an old logic term. From the Greeks a few years ago ... look it up and keep learning.

Keep thinking pal.
Jonnie
PS I'm not sure I spelled the Greek right, but when you look it up you'll have good luck, cause it's very close.

Answer 8

According to Descartes you can prove your own existence in that, "I think therefore I am" as you probably know as you sound to be very interested in philosophy
As for proving an inanimate object's existence, I wrote a whole paper about it in philosophy in college- bertrand russel provides a pretty good explanation as to how you can prove the existence of things- I'd recommend reading his books

Answer 9

Not if the one doing the "refuting" exists.

Answer 10

So you probably never heard what finally happened to De Cartes.

After his episode in the attic he went out for a couple beers. Then, at one point the barkeep asked if he would like another, to which he replied " No, I think not" and then he promptly disappeared!