Single Idea 9020

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / A. Overview of Logic / 1. Overview of Logic]

Full Idea

We chose a standard grammar in which the simple sentences are got by predication, and all further sentences are generated from these by negation, conjunction, and existential quantification.

Gist of Idea

My logical grammar has sentences by predication, then negation, conjunction, and existential quantification

Source

Willard Quine (Philosophy of Logic [1970], Ch.3)

Book Reference

Quine,Willard: 'Philosophy of Logic' [Prentice-Hall 1970], p.36


A Reaction

It is interesting that we 'choose' our logic, apparently guided by an imperative to achieve minimal ontology. Of these basic ingredients, negation and predication are the more mysterious, especially the latter. Quine is a bit of an 'ostrich' about that.