more from Nelson Goodman

Single Idea 15510

[catalogued under 4. Formal Logic / F. Set Theory ST / 5. Conceptions of Set / a. Sets as existing]

Full Idea

I will not willingly use apparatus that peoples the world with a host of ethereal, platonic, pseudo entities.

Gist of Idea

Classes are a host of ethereal, platonic, pseudo entities

Source

Nelson Goodman (The Structure of Appearance [1951], II.2), quoted by David Lewis - Parts of Classes 2.1

Book Reference

Lewis,David: 'Parts of Classes' [Blackwell 1991], p.34


A Reaction

This represents the big gap that opened up with Goodman's former comrade in arms, Quine. Lewis quotes it in order to ask whether he means ethereal or platonic, as they are very different. I sympathise with Goodman.