How rigid is the distinction between negative predication and existential predication?

The Watercooler
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For Pali scholars, please one query:
How rigid is the distinction between negative predication and existential predication?

By this, I mean:

  • Negative predication:
    Statements like ‘x is not y’ (assertions of identity or difference).

  • Existential predication:
    Statements like ‘x exists’ or ‘x does not exist’ (assertions or denials of existence).

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That’s rather question for logicans not Pali scholars. I am neither. But it seems to me, X exist is on more general level since in order to be the same or different from y, it must exist.

Regarding “X doesn’t exist” as far as I remember such certainty cannot be reached by logic unless X is defined in self-contradictory terms, like round square.

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You need to go into Madyh for these. :grin:

Vv of Nagarjuna on his debates with nyayikas, the logicians of the time

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Can you give us some examples of what Pāḷi text you’re trying to interpret specifically?

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