Combining Philosophers

Ideas for Melvin Fitting, David S. Oderberg and Bertrand Russell

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2 ideas

5. Theory of Logic / G. Quantification / 1. Quantification
'Any' is better than 'all' where infinite classes are concerned [Russell]
     Full Idea: The word 'any' is preferable to the word 'all' where infinite classes are concerned.
     From: Bertrand Russell (The Principles of Mathematics [1903], §284)
     A reaction: The reason must be that it is hard to quantify over 'all' of the infinite members, but it is easier to say what is true of any one of them.
5. Theory of Logic / G. Quantification / 3. Objectual Quantification
Existence is entirely expressed by the existential quantifier [Russell, by McGinn]
     Full Idea: Nowadays Russell's position is routinely put by saying that existence is what is expressed by the existential quantifier and only by that.
     From: report of Bertrand Russell (On Denoting [1905]) by Colin McGinn - Logical Properties Ch.2
     A reaction: We must keep separate how you express existence, and what it is. Quantifiers seem only to be a style of expressing existence; they don't offer any insight into what existence actually is, or what we mean by 'exist'. McGinn dislikes quantifiers.