Combining Philosophers

Ideas for Anaxarchus, Ludwig Wittgenstein and Jonathan Glover

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4 ideas

5. Theory of Logic / D. Assumptions for Logic / 3. Contradiction
Two colours in the same place is ruled out by the logical structure of colour [Wittgenstein]
     Full Idea: The simultaneous presence of two colours in the same place in the visual field is impossible, in fact logically impossible, since it is ruled out by the logical structure of colour.
     From: Ludwig Wittgenstein (Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus [1921], 6.3751)
     A reaction: This sounds the wrong way around. We derive our concept of the logic of colour from experiencing the total incompatibility of two colours in the same location. What if each of our eyes saw a different colour?
Contradiction is between two rules, not between rule and reality [Wittgenstein]
     Full Idea: Contradiction is between one rule and another, not between rule and reality.
     From: Ludwig Wittgenstein (Lectures 1930-32 (student notes) [1931], C XIII)
     A reaction: If I say 'he is sitting' and 'he is standing', it seems to be reality which produces the contradiction. What 'rule' could possibly do it? The rule which says sitting and standing are incompatible? But what makes that so?
5. Theory of Logic / D. Assumptions for Logic / 4. Identity in Logic
The sign of identity is not allowed in 'Tractatus' [Wittgenstein, by Bostock]
     Full Idea: The 'Tractatus' does not allow the introduction of a sign for identity.
     From: report of Ludwig Wittgenstein (Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus [1921]) by David Bostock - Philosophy of Mathematics 9.B.4
The identity sign is not essential in logical notation, if every sign has a different meaning [Wittgenstein, by Ramsey]
     Full Idea: Wittgenstein discovered that the sign of identity is not a necessary constituent of logical notation, but can be replaced by the convention that different signs must have different meanings.
     From: report of Ludwig Wittgenstein (Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus [1921]) by Frank P. Ramsey - The Foundations of Mathematics p.139
     A reaction: [Ramsey cites p.139 - need to track down the modern reference] Hence in modern logic it is usually necessary to say that we are using 'classical logic with identity', since the use of identity is very convenient, and reasonably harmless (I think).