Single Idea 8488

[catalogued under 18. Thought / D. Concepts / 3. Ontology of Concepts / c. Fregean concepts]

Full Idea

A concept in logic is closely connected with what we call a function. Indeed, we may say at once: a concept is a function whose value is always a truth-value. ..I give the name 'function' to what is meant by the 'unsaturated' part.

Clarification

'Unsaturated' functions contain variables but not actual references

Gist of Idea

A concept is a function whose value is always a truth-value

Source

Gottlob Frege (Function and Concept [1891], p.30)

Book Reference

Frege,Gottlob: 'Translations from the Writings of Gottlob Frege', ed/tr. Geach,P/Black,M [Blackwell 1980], p.30


A Reaction

So a function becomes a concept when the variable takes a value. Problems arise when the value is vague, or the truth-value is indeterminable.