Single Idea 11222

[catalogued under 4. Formal Logic / F. Set Theory ST / 6. Ordering in Sets]

Full Idea

The ordered pair <x,y> is defined as the set {{x},{x,y}}. This does captures its essential uses. Pairs <x,y> <u,v> are identical iff x=u and y=v, and the definition satisfies this. Function matters here, not meaning.

Gist of Idea

The ordered pair <x,y> is defined as the set {{x},{x,y}}, capturing function, not meaning

Source

Anil Gupta (Definitions [2008], 1.5)

Book Reference

'Stanford Online Encyclopaedia of Philosophy', ed/tr. Stanford University [plato.stanford.edu], p.5


A Reaction

This is offered as an example of Carnap's 'explications', rather than pure definitions. Quine extols it as a philosophical paradigm (1960:§53).