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Single Idea 18266

[from 'The Semantic Tradition from Kant to Carnap' by J. Alberto Coffa, in 15. Nature of Minds / C. Capacities of Minds / 5. Generalisation by mind ]

Full Idea

The instrument of generality in mathematics is the variable.

Gist of Idea

Mathematics generalises by using variables

Source

J. Alberto Coffa (The Semantic Tradition from Kant to Carnap [1991], 4 'The conc')

Book Reference

Coffa,J.Alberto: 'The Semantic Tradition from Kant to Carnap' [CUP 1993], p.69


A Reaction

I like the idea that there are variables in ordinary speech, pronouns being the most obvious example. 'Cats' is a variable involving quantification over a domain of lovable fluffy mammals.