Existential Statements Like, Quote, Martians Do Not Exist, Unquote, Are Self-Contradictory

Kenny: If existence were a first level predicate of objects, then it is claimed negative existential statements like Martians do not exist would be self-contradictory. Kenny begs the question against the Thomas in a much deeper way, however, by assuming that the Phragian notions of existence are the only respectable ones. For the Thomas wouldn't agree with such an assumption in the first place.