ABSTRACT
On the one hand, there is much about Carnap’s position on ontology that remains constant over the course of his career. This includes the views that ontological questions are closely tied to the choice of a language, and that they are generally not theoretical in character. On the other hand, there is much about his views on ontology that does change. One of the most significant changes involves his attitude toward truth and reference. To properly understand Carnap’s mature position on ontology, it is essential to understand the position that it had emerged from. In order to do so, the chapter looks at Carnap’s early views on ontology at the time of the Aufbau, before it addresses Tarski’s influence and Carnap’s later view on ontology. Finally, the chapter discusses Carnap’s confrontation with Quine in the 1950s.
