Single Idea 9999

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / C. Sources of Mathematics / 5. Numbers as Adjectival]

Full Idea

We want a concept of number usable for science; we should not, therefore, be deterred by everyday language using numbers in attributive constructions. The proposition 'Jupiter has four moons' can be converted to 'the number of Jupiter's moons is four'.

Gist of Idea

For science, we can translate adjectival numbers into noun form

Source

Gottlob Frege (Grundlagen der Arithmetik (Foundations) [1884], §57)

Book Reference

Frege,Gottlob: 'The Foundations of Arithmetic (Austin)', ed/tr. Austin,J.L. [Blackwell 1980], p.69


A Reaction

Critics are quick to point out that this could work the other way (noun-to-adjective), so Frege hasn't got an argument here, only an escape route. How about the verb version ('the moons of Jupiter four'), or the adverb ('J's moons behave fourly')?