Single Idea 10136

[catalogued under 7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 4. Abstract Existence]

Full Idea

Points in abstract Euclidean space are abstract objects, and yet are not objects of abstraction, since they are not introduced through a principle of abstraction of the sort envisaged by Frege.

Gist of Idea

Points in Euclidean space are abstract objects, but not introduced by abstraction

Source

Kit Fine (The Limits of Abstraction [2002], I.1)

Book Reference

Fine,Kit: 'The Limits of Abstraction' [OUP 2008], p.9


A Reaction

The point seems to be that they are not abstracted 'from' anything, but are simpy posited as basic constituents. I suggest that points are idealisations (of smallness) rather than abstractions. They are idealised 'from' substances.