Single Idea 8452

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / G. Quantification / 1. Quantification]

Full Idea

In traditional logic from Aristotle to Kant, universal sentences have existential import, but Brentano and Boole construed them as universal conditionals (such as 'for anything, if it is a man, then it is mortal').

Gist of Idea

Traditionally, universal sentences had existential import, but were later treated as conditional claims

Source

Alex Orenstein (W.V. Quine [2002], Ch.2)

Book Reference

Orenstein,Alex: 'W.V. Quine' [Princeton 2002], p.15


A Reaction

I am sympathetic to the idea that even the 'existential' quantifier should be treated as conditional, or fictional. Modern Christians may well routinely quantify over angels, without actually being committed to them.