# Does A Lighter Really Exists? I think it does, but let me make a joke about reductionism, nomina lism, materialism, &c. > I don't think a lighter actually exists. A lighter is the sum of > its parts. "Lighter" is just a name for the sum and it doesn't a > ctually exist. So what really exist are those atoms... wait no! > Atoms are the sum of its parts too. Therefore maybe what really > exist are the particles in the standard model, or strings in str > ing theory. Wait... can we say those theoretical beings actually > do exist? Their existence depends on the theory... Then what thi > ngs actually do exist and what is reality anyway? I don't know a > t all...