Single Idea 10536

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / G. Quantification / 2. Domain of Quantification]

Full Idea

For Frege there is no need to specify the domain of the individual variables, which is taken as the totality of all objects. This contrasts with the standard notion of an interpretation, which demands that we first fix the domain.

Gist of Idea

Frege's domain for variables is all objects, but modern interpretations first fix the domain

Source

comment on Gottlob Frege (Begriffsschrift [1879]) by Michael Dummett - Frege Philosophy of Language (2nd ed) Ch.14

Book Reference

Dummett,Michael: 'Frege Philosophy of Language' [Duckworth 1981], p.475


A Reaction

What intrigues me is how domains of quantification shift according to context in ordinary usage, even in mid-sentence. I ought to go through every idea in this database, specifying its domain of quantification. Any volunteers?