This discussion was brought up on another thread. Out of consideration to that thread I am starting it here. I will restart over and better try to explain it for those that may have not read the previous discussion.
The term existence was used when NoItAll was making a metaphysical statement. The usage of the term existence has become a pet peeve of mine because of the modern Western thinking and teachings. Through our higher mathematics and science we fall into the trap of thinking existence as a physical object. I had fallen into the same trap and I have to be careful all the time of it.
I am not denying all object, things and places are existents. I am stating it is not inclusive to those things. The way I protect myself from this pitfall is the usage of “is” and its tenses. In our common language with or without our knowledge we use “is” for this express reason all the time.
The word “is” comes from Old English between c.450-c.1100 meaning exist, to be.
“Is” the third person singular of “be.”
Be:
- to exist or live
- to take place; happen; occur
- to occupy a place or position
- to continue or remain as before
- to belong; attend; befall
All of these definitions encompass existence on a metaphysical level. When you look up existence in our modern dictionary it only includes those of the physical as I explained earlier. This has driven me to the position I now stand, in philosophical discussions I use the word “is.”
______ is. This tells me whatever I place in the blank is an existent. I can say “Happiness is”, “John is”, “The one eyed spaghetti monster is” or “Farting is.” All of these exist. Not only to the physical such as John exist, but so do emotions, thought and actions. Existence reaches beyond the physical world around us.
“I am.” This identifies that I exists. If I said the word “flaggunstonget,” that would mean nothing more than gibberish to you. It has no meaning or explanation. If I then say, “flaggunstonget is,” you know that is exists. You still do not know what it is but you know it is not gibberish but some form of existent. “Is’ serves this purpose in our language with or without our knowledge.
When you use the tenses of “is” you understand how time does not affect existence. Be, am, are, was, were, been and being.
Napoleon was…
Dinosaurs were…
Napoleon is an existent. You have identified that by the usage of “was.” The knowledge, not his physical form, has brought his existence into the presence through this usage. You are now speaking of him in the present as an existent. Even though he is dead, his existence is with us through knowledge. This knowledge is tied into existence. Because of this reason existence does not act in according to or with time. Time does not affect existence. The past, present and future are all encompassed in existence. Dinosaurs are just as much an existent today as they were millions of years ago, just in a different manner. The physical form may change but the existent does not. The one eyed spaghetti monster has never had a physical form but it is just as much an existent as anything else. Happiness may come and go out of your life, as it is only an emotional triggered by chemicals in your mind, but the emotional state still exists. Even as you are not feeling the emotion it still remains in existence.
Knowledge was….
Intelligence is……
Both of these are existents. Any ability, trait or characteristic is an existent. Because it is an existent it transcends time. Gravity existed long before the knowledge of its workings was known. If gravity exists then the knowledge must also exists. Abilities, traits and characteristics are only discovered or acquired.
I could continue this with as many different things you could place in the blank:
_______ is.
It is because of this reason in a philosophical discussion, especially a metaphysical one, I feel “is”, because of its roots and origins, and all that it includes is a better term than existence. It would not bother me as much if we as a Western society have not limited the usage of existence as much as we have. Since it has been limited, I feel we have progressively limited our own knowledge of existence.
Therefore existence “is.”
oooooh a trap, I like traps, they are fun. Good mental exercise. =D> =D> I am not on ILP or,hehehe 
since ILP exists and has existed I am and always have been a part of ILP and will be. My sense of linear time would put me first posting about 2 yrs ago. But, that is only my sense of linear time and linear time only is used by physical bodies. Not the energy that comprises those bodies. In a round about way: I am and I am not because I am only a portion. 
