more from Charles Parsons

Single Idea 9468

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / G. Quantification / 4. Substitutional Quantification]

Full Idea

For the substitutional interpretation of quantifiers, a sentence of the form '(∃x) Fx' is true iff there is some closed term 't' of the language such that 'Ft' is true. For the objectual interpretation some object x must exist such that Fx is true.

Gist of Idea

On the substitutional interpretation, '(∃x) Fx' is true iff a closed term 't' makes Ft true

Source

Charles Parsons (A Plea for Substitutional Quantification [1971], p.156)

Book Reference

'Philosophy of Logic: an anthology', ed/tr. Jacquette,Dale [Blackwell 2002], p.156


A Reaction

How could you decide if it was true for 't' if you didn't know what object 't' referred to?