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Single Idea 9878

[filed under theme 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 2. Abstract Objects / c. Modern abstracta ]

Full Idea

Wright says we should accord to contextually defined abstract terms a genuine full-blown reference to objects.

Gist of Idea

Contextually defined abstract terms genuinely refer to objects

Source

report of Crispin Wright (Frege's Concept of Numbers as Objects [1983]) by Michael Dummett - Frege philosophy of mathematics Ch.18

Book Ref

Dummett,Michael: 'Frege: philosophy of mathematics' [Duckworth 1991], p.226

A Reaction

This is the punch line of Wright's neo-logicist programme. See Idea 9868 for his view of reference. Dummett regards this strong view of contextual definition as 'exorbitant'. Wright's view strikes me as blatantly false.

Related Idea

Idea 9868 An expression refers if it is a singular term in some true sentences [Wright,C, by Dummett]

The 17 ideas with the same theme [examples amd principles of modern abstracta]:

12939 Wholly uniform things like space and numbers are mere abstractions [Leibniz]
10309 Frege says singular terms denote objects, numerals are singular terms, so numbers exist [Frege, by Hale]
10550 Frege establishes abstract objects independently from concrete ones, by falling under a concept [Frege, by Dummett]
18269 Logical objects are extensions of concepts, or ranges of values of functions [Frege]
8719 There can be impossible and contradictory objects, if they can have properties [Meinong, by Friend]
10543 Abstract objects must have names that fall within the range of some functional expression [Dummett]
9859 It is absurd to deny the Equator, on the grounds that it lacks causal powers [Dummett]
9860 'We've crossed the Equator' has truth-conditions, so accept the Equator - and it's an object [Dummett]
9858 Abstract objects nowadays are those which are objective but not actual [Dummett]
10489 We deal with abstract objects all the time: software, poems, mistakes, triangles.. [Boolos]
10415 Properties make round squares and round triangles distinct, unlike exemplification [Zalta, by Swoyer]
9878 Contextually defined abstract terms genuinely refer to objects [Wright,C, by Dummett]
9969 The empty set is the purest abstract object [Jubien]
10626 Objects just are what singular terms refer to [Hale/Wright]
7699 Numbers, sets and propositions are abstract particulars; properties, qualities and relations are universals [Jacquette]
7783 Bodies, properties, relations, events, numbers, sets and propositions are 'things' if they exist [Lowe]
10307 The modern Fregean use of the term 'object' is much broader than the ordinary usage [Hale]