Single Idea 8999

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / C. Ontology of Logic / 4. Logic by Convention]

Full Idea

If logic is to proceed mediately from conventions, logic is needed for inferring logic from the conventions. Conventions for adopting logical primitives can only be communicated by free use of those very idioms.

Gist of Idea

Logic isn't conventional, because logic is needed to infer logic from conventions

Source

Willard Quine (Truth by Convention [1935], p.104)

Book Reference

Quine,Willard: 'Ways of Paradox and other essays' [Harvard 1976], p.104


A Reaction

A common pattern of modern argument, which always seems to imply that nothing can ever get off the ground. I suspect that there are far more benign circles in the world of thought than most philosophers imagine.