back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 6069

[from 'Logical Properties' by Colin McGinn, in 5. Theory of Logic / G. Quantification / 3. Objectual Quantification ]

Full Idea

We would do much better to call 'some' the 'partial quantifier' (rather than the 'existential quantifier'), on analogy with the universal quantifier - as neither of them logically implies existence.

Gist of Idea

'Partial quantifier' would be a better name than 'existential quantifier', as no existence would be implied

Source

Colin McGinn (Logical Properties [2000], Ch.2)

Book Reference

McGinn,Colin: 'Logical Properties' [OUP 2003], p.35


A Reaction

Like McGinn's other suggestions in this chapter, this strikes me as a potentially huge clarification in linguistic analysis. I wait with interest to see whether the philosophical logicians take it up. I bet they don't.