back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 15518

[from 'Parts of Classes' by David Lewis, in 5. Theory of Logic / G. Quantification / 6. Plural Quantification ]

Full Idea

I agree fully with Boolos on substantive questions about plural quantification, though I would make less than he does of the connection with second-order logic.

Gist of Idea

I like plural quantification, but am not convinced of its connection with second-order logic

Source

David Lewis (Parts of Classes [1991], 3.2 n2)

Book Reference

Lewis,David: 'Parts of Classes' [Blackwell 1991], p.63


A Reaction

Deep matters, but my inclination is to agree with Lewis, as I have never been able to see why talk of plural quantification led straight on to second-order logic. A plural is just some objects, not some higher-order entity.