more on this theme     |     more from this thinker


Single Idea 9452

[filed under theme 19. Language / D. Propositions / 1. Propositions ]

Full Idea

The reductionist view of propositions sees them as either extensional functions from possible worlds to truth values, or as ordered sets of properties, relations, and perhaps particulars.

Gist of Idea

Propositions might be reduced to functions (worlds to truth values), or ordered sets of properties and relations

Source

George Bealer (Propositions [1998], §1)

Book Ref

'Philosophy of Logic: an anthology', ed/tr. Jacquette,Dale [Blackwell 2002], p.121


A Reaction

The usual problem of all functional accounts is 'what is it about x that enables it to have that function?' And if they are sets, where does the ordering come in? A proposition isn't just a list of items in some particular order. Both wrong.


The 5 ideas from 'Propositions'

Propositions might be reduced to functions (worlds to truth values), or ordered sets of properties and relations [Bealer]
Sentences saying the same with the same rigid designators may still express different propositions [Bealer]
Modal logic and brain science have reaffirmed traditional belief in propositions [Bealer]
The four leading theories of definite descriptions are Frege's, Russell's, Evans's, and Prior's [Bealer]
Maybe proper names have the content of fixing a thing's category [Bealer]