The Questions of Ontology

Abstract

Despite its enduring influence, Quine’s account of how we should both understand and go about answering ontological questions has come under increasing fire in the recent metaontological literature. The focus here is on one important and influential critique of Quine’s views, due to Kit Fine (2009), who argues that Quine’s picture of ontology is thoroughly misguided insofar as it both misidentifies the subject matter of ontological questions and misconceives the appropriate methodology for pursuing ontological inquiry. Taking up the defence on behalf of Quine, the chapter argues that Fine’s central objections to the Quinean approach are unsuccessful since the Quinean is well positioned to both explain the apparent triviality of many existential questions and explain how ontological questions might remain open, even once everyday existence questions have been answered in the ordinary business of life.