more from Colin McGinn

Single Idea 6077

[catalogued under 19. Language / C. Assigning Meanings / 5. Fregean Semantics]

Full Idea

Semantics should not employ the relationship of set-membership between objects and extensions, but rather the relation of instantiation between objects and properties.

Clarification

'Instantiation' is there being an actual instance or case of something

Gist of Idea

Semantics should not be based on set-membership, but on instantiation of properties in objects

Source

Colin McGinn (Logical Properties [2000], Ch.3)

Book Reference

McGinn,Colin: 'Logical Properties' [OUP 2003], p.68


A Reaction

At least this means that philosophers won't be required to read fat books on set theory, but they will have to think very carefully about 'instantiation'. A good start is the ideas on 'Partaking' of Platonic Forms in this database (in 'Universals').