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Single Idea 9106

[from 'Summa totius logicae' by William of Ockham, in 5. Theory of Logic / G. Quantification / 1. Quantification ]

Full Idea

The syncategorematic word 'every' does not signify any fixed thing, but when added to 'man' it makes the term 'man' stand for all men actually.

Clarification

'Syncategorematic' words are almost meaningless linking words in sentences

Gist of Idea

The word 'every' only signifies when added to a term such as 'man', referring to all men

Source

William of Ockham (Summa totius logicae [1323], I.c.iv)

Book Reference

Ockham,William of: 'Ockham's Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. Boehner,P [Hackett 1990], p.51


A Reaction

Although quantifiers may have become a part of formal logic with Frege, their importance is seen from Aristotle onwards, and it is clearly a key part of William's understanding of logic.