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Single Idea 10229

[from 'Philosophy of Mathematics' by Stewart Shapiro, in 18. Thought / E. Abstraction / 2. Abstracta by Selection ]

Full Idea

Some realists argue that simple types can be apprehended through their tokens, via abstraction.

Gist of Idea

Simple types can be apprehended through their tokens, via abstraction

Source

Stewart Shapiro (Philosophy of Mathematics [1997], 4.2)

Book Reference

Shapiro,Stewart: 'Philosophy of Mathematics:structure and ontology' [OUP 1997], p.113


A Reaction

One might rephrase that to say that types are created by abstraction from tokens (and then preserved in language).