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Single Idea 10455

[from 'What Does It Take to Refer?' by Kent Bach, in 4. Formal Logic / E. Nonclassical Logics / 6. Free Logic ]

Full Idea

Unlike standard first-order logic, free logic can allow empty names, but still has to deny existence by either representing it as a predicate, or invoke some dubious distinction such as between existence and being.

Gist of Idea

Free logic at least allows empty names, but struggles to express non-existence

Source

Kent Bach (What Does It Take to Refer? [2006], 22.2 L1)

Book Reference

'Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Language', ed/tr. Lepore,E/Smith,B [OUP 2008], p.538