Examples prove existence by disproving universal negative claims

Evidence

One reader challenged me with the Yiddish quip that “‘for example’ is not proof.” In fact, of course, it can be proof—of existence. If you have seen one example of the black swans in Taiwan, you cannot any longer truthfully say that all swans are white. At most, my examples from fictional accounts establish conceptual possibilities, which is a bit short of proving existence. It is in this spirit only that I invoke them. I do so because I think it is often important to reify any conceptual claim by giving an example of it. — Russell Hardin, Trust and Trustworthiness, 52

Categorization

• DEFINE: Clarifies the logical status of fictional examples: they establish conceptual possibility and reify claims without proving general existence.