Single Idea 9884

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

Full Idea

The distinction between concrete and abstract objects, or Frege's corresponding distinction between actual and non-actual objects, is not a sharp dichotomy, but resembles a scale upon which objects occupy a range of positions.

Gist of Idea

The distinction of concrete/abstract, or actual/non-actual, is a scale, not a dichotomy

Source

Michael Dummett (Frege philosophy of mathematics [1991], Ch.18)

Book Reference

Dummett,Michael: 'Frege: philosophy of mathematics' [Duckworth 1991], p.239


A Reaction

This might seem right if you live (as Dummett chooses to) in the fog of language, but it surely can't be right if you think about reality. Is the Equator supposed to be near the middle of his scale? Either there is an equator, or there isn't.

Related Idea

Idea 9918 Abstract/concrete is a distinction of kind, not degree [Burgess/Rosen]