Single Idea 14182

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / B. Logical Consequence / 1. Logical Consequence]

Full Idea

In 'A is taller than B, and B is taller than C, so A is taller than C' this can been seen as a matter of meaning - it is part of the meaning of 'taller' that it is transitive, but not of logic. Logic is now seen as the study of formal consequence.

Gist of Idea

If the logic of 'taller of' rests just on meaning, then logic may be the study of merely formal consequence

Source

Stephen Read (Formal and Material Consequence [1994], 'Reduct')

Book Reference

'Philosophy of Logic: an anthology', ed/tr. Jacquette,Dale [Blackwell 2002], p.240


A Reaction

I think I find this approach quite appealing. Obviously you can reason about taller-than relations, by putting the concepts together like jigsaw pieces, but I tend to think of logic as something which is necessarily implementable on a machine.

Related Idea

Idea 14183 Maybe arguments are only valid when suppressed premises are all stated - but why? [Read]