Single Idea 9878

[catalogued under 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 2. Abstract Objects / c. Modern abstracta]

Full Idea

Wright says we should accord to contextually defined abstract terms a genuine full-blown reference to objects.

Gist of Idea

Contextually defined abstract terms genuinely refer to objects

Source

report of Crispin Wright (Frege's Concept of Numbers as Objects [1983]) by Michael Dummett - Frege philosophy of mathematics Ch.18

Book Reference

Dummett,Michael: 'Frege: philosophy of mathematics' [Duckworth 1991], p.226


A Reaction

This is the punch line of Wright's neo-logicist programme. See Idea 9868 for his view of reference. Dummett regards this strong view of contextual definition as 'exorbitant'. Wright's view strikes me as blatantly false.

Related Idea

Idea 9868 An expression refers if it is a singular term in some true sentences [Wright,C, by Dummett]