Single Idea 9885

[catalogued under 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 2. Abstract Objects / a. Nature of abstracta]

Full Idea

The existence of abstract objects is a pseudo-problem.

Gist of Idea

The existence of abstract objects is a pseudo-problem

Source

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

Book Reference

Dummett,Michael: 'Frege: philosophy of mathematics' [Duckworth 1991], p.240


A Reaction

This remark follows after Idea 9884, which says the abstract/concrete distinction is a sliding scale. Personally I take the distinction to be fairly sharp, and it is therefore probably the single most important problem in the whole of human thought.

Related Idea

Idea 9884 The distinction of concrete/abstract, or actual/non-actual, is a scale, not a dichotomy [Dummett]