Single Idea 17428

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 4. Using Numbers / d. Counting via concepts]

Full Idea

Roughly, Frege's picture of counting is this. When we count something, we determine what number belongs to a given concept.

Gist of Idea

Frege says counting is determining what number belongs to a given concept

Source

report of Gottlob Frege (Grundlagen der Arithmetik (Foundations) [1884], §54) by Kathrin Koslicki - Isolation and Non-arbitrary Division 2.1

Book Reference

-: 'Synthese' [-], p.405


A Reaction

If the concept were 'herd of sheep' that would need a context before there could be a fixed number. You can count until you get bored, like counting stars to get to sleep. 'Count off 20 sheep' has the number before the counting starts.

Related Idea

Idea 17429 Frege says only concepts which isolate and avoid arbitrary division can give units [Frege, by Koslicki]