Single Idea 10630

[catalogued under 18. Thought / E. Abstraction / 7. Abstracta by Equivalence]

Full Idea

The new kind of abstract objects are not creations of the human mind. ...The existence of such objects depends upon whether or not the relevant equivalence relation holds among the entities of the presupposed kind.

Gist of Idea

Abstracted objects are not mental creations, but depend on equivalence between given entities

Source

B Hale / C Wright (Intro to 'The Reason's Proper Study' [2001], 3.2)

Book Reference

Hale,B/Wright,C: 'The Reason's Proper Study' [OUP 2003], p.17


A Reaction

It seems odd that we no longer have any choice about what abstract objects we use, and that we can't evade them if the objects exist, and can't have them if the objects don't exist - and presumably destruction of the objects kills the concept?