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Single Idea 7784
[filed under theme 5. Theory of Logic / E. Structures of Logic / 4. Variables in Logic
]
Full Idea
The variable name ‘x’ is the proper sign of the pseudo-concept object. Wherever the word ‘object’ (‘thing’, ‘entity’, etc.) is rightly used, it is expressed in logical symbolism by the variable name.
Gist of Idea
'Object' is a pseudo-concept, properly indicated in logic by the variable x
Source
Ludwig Wittgenstein (Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus [1921], 4.1272)
Book Ref
Wittgenstein,Ludwig: 'Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (Pears)', ed/tr. Pears,D. /McGuinness,B. [RKP 1961], p.29
A Reaction
This seems to be the germ of Quine's famous dictum (Idea 1610). I am not persuaded that because logic must handle an object as a variable, that it follows that we are dealing with a pseudo-concept. Let logic limp behind life.
Related Idea
Idea 1610
To be is to be the value of a variable, which amounts to being in the range of reference of a pronoun [Quine]
The
19 ideas
with the same theme
[symbols which do not yet have a determined value]:
5772
|
The idea of a variable is fundamental
[Russell]
|
14114
|
Variables don't stand alone, but exist as parts of propositional functions
[Russell]
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17699
|
Variables are auxiliary notions, and not part of the 'eternal' essence of logic
[Schönfinkel]
|
7784
|
'Object' is a pseudo-concept, properly indicated in logic by the variable x
[Wittgenstein]
|
12221
|
'Corner quotes' (quasi-quotation) designate 'whatever these terms designate'
[Quine]
|
1618
|
We study bound variables not to know reality, but to know what reality language asserts
[Quine]
|
13839
|
Perhaps variables could be dispensed with, by arrows joining places in the scope of quantifiers
[Hacking]
|
17558
|
Variables are just like pronouns; syntactic explanations get muddled over dummy letters
[Inwagen]
|
9148
|
I think of variables as objects rather than as signs
[Fine,K]
|
15590
|
It seemed that Frege gave the syntax for variables, and Tarski the semantics, and that was that
[Fine,K]
|
15591
|
In separate expressions variables seem identical in role, but in the same expression they aren't
[Fine,K]
|
15592
|
The usual Tarskian interpretation of variables is to specify their range of values
[Fine,K]
|
15593
|
Variables can be viewed as special terms - functions taking assignments into individuals
[Fine,K]
|
15595
|
The 'algebraic' account of variables reduces quantification to the algebra of its component parts
[Fine,K]
|
15594
|
'Instantial' accounts of variables say we grasp arbitrary instances from their use in quantification
[Fine,K]
|
15409
|
All occurrences of variables in atomic formulas are free
[Burgess]
|
13696
|
When a variable is 'free' of the quantifier, the result seems incapable of truth or falsity
[Sider]
|
9135
|
We now see that generalizations use variables rather than abstract entities
[Sorensen]
|
12797
|
If plural variables have 'some values', then non-count variables have 'some value'
[Laycock]
|