Single Idea 12845

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / G. Quantification / 6. Plural Quantification]

Full Idea

The syntactic distinction between singular and plural is not a universal feature of natural languages. Chinese manages nicely without it, and Sanskrit makes a tripartite distinction between singular, dual, and plural (more than two).

Gist of Idea

Some natural languages don't distinguish between singular and plural

Source

Peter Simons (Parts [1987], 4.3)

Book Reference

Simons,Peter: 'Parts: a Study in Ontology' [OUP 1987], p.143


A Reaction

Simons is mounting an attack on the way in which modern philosophy and logic has been mesmerised by singular terms and individuated objects. Most people seem now to agree with Simons. There is stuff, as well as plurals.