Combining Texts

Ideas for 'fragments/reports', 'Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy' and 'Representation in Music'

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2 ideas

7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 1. Nature of Existence

14463	Existence can only be asserted of something described, not of something named [Russell]
	Full Idea: Existence can only be asserted of something described, not of something named.
	From: Bertrand Russell (Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy [1919], XVIII)
	A reaction: This is the motivation behind Russell's theory of definite descriptions, and epitomises the approach to ontology through language. Sounds wrong to me!

7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 7. Fictionalism

14429	Classes are logical fictions, made from defining characteristics [Russell]
	Full Idea: Classes may be regarded as logical fictions, manufactured out of defining characteristics.
	From: Bertrand Russell (Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy [1919], II n1)
	A reaction: I agree with this. The idea that in addition to the members there is a further object, the set containing them, is absurd. Sets are a tool for thinking about the world.