Single Idea 8643

[catalogued under 7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 1. Nature of Existence]

Full Idea

Affirmation of existence is nothing but denial of the number nought.

Gist of Idea

Affirmation of existence is just denial of zero

Source

Gottlob Frege (Grundlagen der Arithmetik (Foundations) [1884], §53)

Book Reference

Frege,Gottlob: 'The Foundations of Arithmetic (Austin)', ed/tr. Austin,J.L. [Blackwell 1980], p.65


A Reaction

Mathematicians - don't you luv 'em. No doubt this is helpful in placing existence within the great network of logical inferences, but his 'nothing but' is laughable. I don't see much existential anguish in the denial of zero.