What does it mean when we say something exists in physics?

[Shing Ernst]

I am getting more and more confused when people say or ask if something exists? (Say force, virtual particles, or even spin)

Such as, "is wavefunction real?" "Are virtual particles real?" "Are force real?"

Are those types of questions usually ill-defined or not well-posed? Or they are just asking "How we measure them directly/indirectly?"

Sorry for being philosophical on a science website, but it is driving me crazy.

 

[Mark44]

As you note, your questions are more philosophical than science-oriented. We don't discuss philosophy at this site.

Thread closed.