Every man exists
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Every man exists (omnis homo est) is a medieval sophism used to illustrate and explore problems connected with the meaning of the term 'exist'[1], the range or 'supposition' of common terms like 'man', and the relation between affirmative and negative propositions. Does every man exist? On the one hand, yes, because every man who is, is an existing man, and so every such man exists. On the other hand no, because Caesar does not exist, and hence some man (namely Caesar) does not exist. But 'some man does not exist' is the contradictory of 'every man exists', and so the second is false.
See also
- Omnis homo est Anon, NL16135.
- Anon NL 16135
- Omnis homo est by Peter of Cornwall in Worcester 13.
Notes
- ↑ as expressed by the verbs esse, existere
