Single Idea 17558

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / E. Structures of Logic / 4. Variables in Logic]

Full Idea

Explanations in terms of syntax do not satisfactorily distinguish true variables from dummy or schematic letters. Identifying variables with pronouns, however, provides a genuine explanation of what variables are.

Gist of Idea

Variables are just like pronouns; syntactic explanations get muddled over dummy letters

Source

Peter van Inwagen (Material Beings [1990], 02)

Book Reference

Inwagen,Peter van: 'Material Beings' [Cornell 1995], p.25


A Reaction

I like this because it shows that our ordinary thought and speech use variables all the time ('I've forgotten something - what was it?'). He says syntax is fine for maths, but not for ordinary understanding.