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Single Idea 9357
[filed under theme 5. Theory of Logic / D. Assumptions for Logic / 2. Excluded Middle
]
Full Idea
The law of excluded middle formulates our decision that whatever is not designated by a certain term shall be designated by its negative. It declares our purpose to make a complete dichotomy of experience, ..which is only our penchant for simplicity.
Gist of Idea
Excluded middle is just our preference for a simplified dichotomy in experience
Source
C.I. Lewis (A Pragmatic Conception of the A Priori [1923], p.365)
Book Ref
Peirce,James,Dewey etc: 'Pragmatism - The Classic Writings', ed/tr. Thayer,H.S. [Hackett 1982], p.365
A Reaction
I find this view quite appealing. 'Look, it's either F or it isn't!' is a dogmatic attitude which irritates a lot of people, and appears to be dispensible. Intuitionists in mathematics dispense with the principle, and vagueness threatens it.
The
15 ideas
from C.I. Lewis
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5828
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Extension is the class of things, intension is the correct definition of the thing, and intension determines extension
[Lewis,CI]
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6556
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If anything is to be probable, then something must be certain
[Lewis,CI]
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21500
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We rely on memory for empirical beliefs because they mutually support one another
[Lewis,CI]
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21498
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Congruents assertions increase the probability of each individual assertion in the set
[Lewis,CI]
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21501
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If we doubt memories we cannot assess our doubt, or what is being doubted
[Lewis,CI]
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9357
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Excluded middle is just our preference for a simplified dichotomy in experience
[Lewis,CI]
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9358
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There are several logics, none of which will ever derive falsehoods from truth
[Lewis,CI]
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9362
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Necessary truths are those we will maintain no matter what
[Lewis,CI]
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9361
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We have to separate the mathematical from physical phenomena by abstraction
[Lewis,CI]
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9363
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Science seeks classification which will discover laws, essences, and predictions
[Lewis,CI]
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9364
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Names represent a uniformity in experience, or they name nothing
[Lewis,CI]
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9365
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We can maintain a priori principles come what may, but we can also change them
[Lewis,CI]
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7803
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Modal logic began with translation difficulties for 'If...then'
[Lewis,CI, by Girle]
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11002
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Equating necessity with informal provability is the S4 conception of necessity
[Lewis,CI, by Read]
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7791
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The simplest of the logics based on possible worlds is Lewis's S5
[Lewis,CI, by Girle]
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