more from Bertrand Russell

Single Idea 5772

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / E. Structures of Logic / 4. Variables in Logic]

Full Idea

I take the notion of the variable as fundamental.

Clarification

A variable is something like x in algebra, which has a value which isn't fixed

Gist of Idea

The idea of a variable is fundamental

Source

Bertrand Russell (On Denoting [1905], p.42)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Logic and Knowledge', ed/tr. Marsh,Robert Charles [Routledge 1956], p.42


A Reaction

A key idea of twentieth century philosophy, derived from Frege and handed on to Quine. A universal term, such as 'horse', is a variable, for which any particular horse can be its value. You can calculate using x, and generalise about horses.