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Single Idea 13875

[from 'Grundlagen der Arithmetik (Foundations)' by Gottlob Frege, in 6. Mathematics / C. Sources of Mathematics / 1. Mathematical Platonism / a. For mathematical platonism ]

Full Idea

The basis of Frege's platonism is the thesis that objects are what singular terms, in the ordinary intuitive sense of 'singular term', refer to.

Gist of Idea

Frege's platonism proposes that objects are what singular terms refer to

Source

report of Gottlob Frege (Grundlagen der Arithmetik (Foundations) [1884]) by Crispin Wright - Frege's Concept of Numbers as Objects 1.iii

Book Reference

Wright,Crispin: 'Frege's Conception of Numbers' [Scots Philosophical Monographs 1983], p.13


A Reaction

This claim strikes me as very bizarre, and is at the root of all the daft aspects of twentieth century linguistic philosophy. See Bob Hale on singular terms, who defends the Fregean view against obvious problems like 'for THE SAKE of the children'.