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Single Idea 12865

[filed under theme 1. Philosophy / F. Analytic Philosophy / 1. Nature of Analysis ]

Full Idea

The untidiness of natural language in its use of 'part' is perhaps one of the chief reasons why mereolologists have preferred to investigate formal systems with nice algebraic properties rather than get out and mix it with reality in all its messiness.

Gist of Idea

Analytic philosophers may prefer formal systems because natural language is such mess

Source

Peter Simons (Parts [1987], 6.4)

Book Ref

Simons,Peter: 'Parts: a Study in Ontology' [OUP 1987], p.236

A Reaction

[See Idea 12864 for the uses of 'part'] I am in the unhappy (and probably doomed) position of wanting to avoid both approaches. I try to operate as if the English language were transparent and we can just discuss the world. Very naïve.

Related Idea

Idea 12864 We say 'b is part of a', 'b is a part of a', 'b are a part of a', or 'b are parts of a'. [Simons]

The 17 ideas with the same theme [strategy and value of breaking down ideas and reality]:

5842 Philosophical discussion involves dividing subject-matter into categories [Socrates, by Xenophon]
22521 Our method of inquiry is to examine the smallest parts that make up the whole [Aristotle]
12997 Analysis is the art of finding the middle term [Leibniz]
5021 An idea is analysed perfectly when it is shown a priori that it is possible [Leibniz]
6118 Philosophy is logical analysis, followed by synthesis [Russell]
6420 Only by analysing is progress possible in philosophy [Russell]
6432 Analysis gives new knowledge, without destroying what we already have [Russell]
14122 Analysis gives us nothing but the truth - but never the whole truth [Russell]
7527 Analysis for Moore and Russell is carving up the world, not investigating language [Moore,GE, by Monk]
19193 Disputes that fail to use precise scientific terminology are all meaningless [Tarski]
13750 Analysis aims at the structure of facts, which are needed to give a rationale to analysis [Urmson, by Schaffer,J]
8460 Philosophers have given precise senses to deduction, probability, computability etc [Quine/Ullian]
12773 Analytic philosophy has an exceptional arsenal of critical tools [Fraassen]
15545 Armstrong's analysis seeks truthmakers rather than definitions [Lewis]
16288 Analysis reduces primitives and makes understanding explicit (without adding new knowledge) [Lewis]
12865 Analytic philosophers may prefer formal systems because natural language is such mess [Simons]
22334 Analysis must include definitions, search for simples, concept analysis, and Kant's analysis [Glock]