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Single Idea 10671
[filed under theme 5. Theory of Logic / F. Referring in Logic / 2. Descriptions / b. Definite descriptions
]
Full Idea
If we extend the power of language with plural definite descriptions, these would pick out the largest class of things that fit the description.
Gist of Idea
Plural definite descriptions pick out the largest class of things that fit the description
Source
Keith Hossack (Plurals and Complexes [2000], 3)
Book Ref
-: 'British Soc for the Philosophy of Science' [-], p.416
The
29 ideas
from Keith Hossack
23621
|
Numbers are properties, not sets (because numbers are magnitudes)
[Hossack]
|
23622
|
We can only mentally construct potential infinities, but maths needs actual infinities
[Hossack]
|
23623
|
Predicativism says only predicated sets exist
[Hossack]
|
23624
|
The iterative conception has to appropriate Replacement, to justify the ordinals
[Hossack]
|
23625
|
Limitation of Size justifies Replacement, but then has to appropriate Power Set
[Hossack]
|
23626
|
Transfinite ordinals are needed in proof theory, and for recursive functions and computability
[Hossack]
|
23627
|
'Before' and 'after' are not two relations, but one relation with two orders
[Hossack]
|
23628
|
The connective 'and' can have an order-sensitive meaning, as 'and then'
[Hossack]
|
10663
|
A thought can refer to many things, but only predicate a universal and affirm a state of affairs
[Hossack]
|
10664
|
Complex particulars are either masses, or composites, or sets
[Hossack]
|
10665
|
Leibniz's Law argues against atomism - water is wet, unlike water molecules
[Hossack]
|
10666
|
Plural reference will refer to complex facts without postulating complex things
[Hossack]
|
10669
|
Plural reference is just an abbreviation when properties are distributive, but not otherwise
[Hossack]
|
10668
|
We are committed to a 'group' of children, if they are sitting in a circle
[Hossack]
|
10671
|
Plural definite descriptions pick out the largest class of things that fit the description
[Hossack]
|
10675
|
A plural comprehension principle says there are some things one of which meets some condition
[Hossack]
|
10673
|
Plural language can discuss without inconsistency things that are not members of themselves
[Hossack]
|
10674
|
A plural language gives a single comprehensive induction axiom for arithmetic
[Hossack]
|
10676
|
The Axiom of Choice is a non-logical principle of set-theory
[Hossack]
|
10677
|
Extensional mereology needs two definitions and two axioms
[Hossack]
|
10678
|
The relation of composition is indispensable to the part-whole relation for individuals
[Hossack]
|
10682
|
The fusion of five rectangles can decompose into more than five parts that are rectangles
[Hossack]
|
10681
|
In arithmetic singularists need sets as the instantiator of numeric properties
[Hossack]
|
10680
|
The theory of the transfinite needs the ordinal numbers
[Hossack]
|
10684
|
I take the real numbers to be just lengths
[Hossack]
|
10683
|
We could ignore space, and just talk of the shape of matter
[Hossack]
|
10685
|
Set theory is the science of infinity
[Hossack]
|
10686
|
The Axiom of Choice guarantees a one-one correspondence from sets to ordinals
[Hossack]
|
10687
|
Maybe we reduce sets to ordinals, rather than the other way round
[Hossack]
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