Single Idea 8950

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / C. Ontology of Logic / 2. Platonism in Logic]

Full Idea

Even if one is inclined to be a realist about everything, it is hard to see why our logic should be the determiner. Logic is supposed to formalize how we ought to reason, but whether or not we should be realists is a matter of philosophy, not logic.

Gist of Idea

Logic formalizes how we should reason, but it shouldn't determine whether we are realists

Source

Jennifer Fisher (On the Philosophy of Logic [2008], 09.I)

Book Reference

Fisher,Jennifer: 'On the Philosophy of Logic' [Thomson Wadsworth 2008], p.131


A Reaction

Nice to hear a logician saying this. I do not see why talk in terms of an object is a commitment to its existence. We can discuss the philosopher's stone, or Arthur's sword, or the Loch Ness monster, or gravitinos, with degrees of commitment.