Quine's Quest for Ontology

Quine's Quest for Ontolog y attempts to focus on the relationship between Quine's canonical notation and the external world. Many presuppositions, often hidden, of Quine's philosophy of logic reveal a profound search for answers regarding ontology. Given Quine's central importance for analytical philosophy during the 20th century and his influence on the philosophy of logic even today, it is crucial to examine these presuppositions and critically evaluate them. Although there is a difference between ‘what there is' and ‘what we say there is', confusion often arises when trying to distinguish the two. Key notions that can clarify this relationship are truth, the existential quantifier and ontological commitment. Through a close analysis of Quine's most important texts, a somewhat controversial conclusion will emerge which can enrich the philosophical debate concerning these issues.