Single Idea 8655

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / C. Sources of Mathematics / 6. Logicism / a. Early logicism]

Full Idea

It is probable that the laws of arithmetic are analytic and consequently a priori; arithmetic thus becomes simply a development of logic, and every proposition of arithmetic a law of logic, albeit a derivative one.

Gist of Idea

Arithmetic is analytic and a priori, and thus it is part of logic

Source

Gottlob Frege (Grundlagen der Arithmetik (Foundations) [1884], §87)

Book Reference

Frege,Gottlob: 'The Foundations of Arithmetic (Austin)', ed/tr. Austin,J.L. [Blackwell 1980], p.99


A Reaction

I'm not sure about 'thus', without more explication. Empiricists loved this, because it placed arithmetic firmly among Hume's 'relations of ideas', thus avoiding the difficulties Mill encountered trying to explain arithmetic through piles of pebbles.