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Two conceptions of absolute generality.

Authors :
Florio, Salvatore
Jones, Nicholas K.
Source :
Philosophical Studies. Jun2023, Vol. 180 Issue 5/6, p1601-1621. 21p.
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

What is absolutely unrestricted quantification? We distinguish two theoretical roles and identify two conceptions of absolute generality: maximally strong generality and maximally inclusive generality. We also distinguish two corresponding kinds of absolute domain. A maximally strong domain contains every potential counterexample to a generalisation. A maximally inclusive domain is such that no domain extends it. We argue that both conceptions of absolute generality are legitimate and investigate the relations between them. Although these conceptions coincide in standard settings, we show how they diverge under more complex assumptions about the structure of meaningful predication, such as cumulative type theory. We conclude by arguing that maximally strong generality is the more theoretically valuable conception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00318116
Volume :
180
Issue :
5/6
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Philosophical Studies
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
164307486
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11098-022-01908-0