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Single Idea 14232

[filed under theme 5. Theory of Logic / G. Quantification / 6. Plural Quantification ]

Full Idea

It is quite standard to interpret sentences of the form 'There are Fs' using a singular quantifier and a singular predicate, but this tradition may be mistaken.

Gist of Idea

We normally formalise 'There are Fs' with singular quantification and predication, but this may be wrong

Source

David Liggins (Nihilism without Self-Contradiction [2008], 8)

Book Ref

'Being: Developments in Contemporary Metaphysics', ed/tr. Le Poidevin,R [CUP 2008], p.192

A Reaction

Liggins is clearly in support of the use of plural quantification, referring to 'there are some xs such that'.

The 3 ideas from 'Nihilism without Self-Contradiction'

14231 We should always apply someone's theory of meaning to their own utterances [Liggins]
14232 We normally formalise 'There are Fs' with singular quantification and predication, but this may be wrong [Liggins]
14233 Nihilists needn't deny parts - they can just say that some of the xs are among the ys [Liggins]