more from Willard Quine

Single Idea 9028

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / A. Overview of Logic / 3. Value of Logic]

Full Idea

Perhaps the logical truths owe their truth to certain traits of reality which are reflected in one way by the grammar of our language, in another way by the grammar of another language, and in a third way by the grammar and lexicon of a third language.

Gist of Idea

Maybe logical truth reflects reality, but in different ways in different languages

Source

Willard Quine (Philosophy of Logic [1970], Ch.7)

Book Reference

Quine,Willard: 'Philosophy of Logic' [Prentice-Hall 1970], p.95


A Reaction

This explains Quine's subsequent interest in translation, and the interest of his pupil Davidson in charity, and whether there could actually be rival conceptual schemes. I like the link between logical truths and reality, which follows Russell.