Denying Existence The Logic, Epistemology and Pragmatics of Negative Existentials and Fictional Discourse

Introduction: The Puzzle of Singular Existence-Denials.- 1: The Scaffolding for a Solution.- 2: The Logical Form of Existence-Assertions.- 3: Singular Death-Sentences.- 4: An Enquiry into the Meaning and Truth of Fictional Discourse.- 5: Deeper Troubles with Fiction: Reference, Emotion and Indeterminacy.- 6: Appearing Unreals.- 7: The Marvel of the Master-Game.- 8: Concluding Unsemantic Postscript.- Appendix: The Problem of the Nonexistent in Indian Philosophy of Logic and Language.- § A1: The Rabbit-horn in an Ancient Indian Debate.- § A2: Primary Reality and Nominal Being: Bhartrhari’s Theory of Linguistic Constructs.- § A3: Further Vicissitudes in the Life of the Horned Rabbit: Udayana versus the Buddhists.- § A4: Does Udayana Pose a Threat to the Games Approach?.- § A5: Do Nonexistent Objects Find a Place in the “New Logic” of Absences?.- Index of Names.