Single Idea 1630

[catalogued under 7. Existence / C. Structure of Existence / 7. Abstract/Concrete / a. Abstract/concrete]

Full Idea

We are prone to talk about physical and abstract objects. It is hard to know how else to talk, because we are bound to adapt any alien pattern to our own in the very process of understanding or translating the alien sentences.

Gist of Idea

We can only see an alien language in terms of our own thought structures (e.g. physical/abstract)

Source

Willard Quine (Speaking of Objects [1960], pt.I,p.1)

Book Reference

Quine,Willard: 'Ontological Relativity and Other Essays' [Columbia 1969], p.1


A Reaction

It is fine for mathematicians (or economists) to refer to their subject matter as 'objects', but ontologists really need to be more careful. Some very silly theories can otherwise result.