3 ideas
14235 | Saying 'they can become a set' is a tautology, because reference to 'they' implies a collection [Cargile] |
Full Idea: If the rule is asserted 'Given any well-determined objects, they can be collected into a set by an application of the 'set of' operation', then on the usual account of 'they' this is a tautology. Collection comes automatically with this form of reference. | |
From: James Cargile (Paradoxes: Form and Predication [1979], p.115), quoted by Oliver,A/Smiley,T - What are Sets and What are they For? Intro | |
A reaction: Is this a problem? Given they are well-determined (presumably implying countable) there just is a set of them. That's what set theory is, I thought. Of course, the iterative view talks of 'constructing' the sets, but the construction looks unstoppable. |
9471 | Intensions are creatures of darkness which should be exorcised [Quine] |
Full Idea: Intensions are creatures of darkness and I shall rejoice with the reader when they are exorcised. | |
From: Willard Quine (Quantifiers and Propositional Attitudes [1955], §II) | |
A reaction: Quine seems to be in a diminshing minority with this view. For 'intensions' read 'meanings', presumably. |
468 | Musical performance can reveal a range of virtues [Damon of Ath.] |
Full Idea: In singing and playing the lyre, a boy will be likely to reveal not only courage and moderation, but also justice. | |
From: Damon (fragments/reports [c.460 BCE], B4), quoted by (who?) - where? |