Single Idea 14114

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

Full Idea

A variable is not any term simply, but any term as entering into a propositional function.

Gist of Idea

Variables don't stand alone, but exist as parts of propositional functions

Source

Bertrand Russell (The Principles of Mathematics [1903], §093)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Principles of Mathematics' [Routledge 1992], p.94


A Reaction

So we should think of variables entirely by their role, rather than as having a semantics of their own (pace Kit Fine? - though see Russell §106, p.107).