Single Idea 17461

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / B. Foundations for Mathematics / 5. Definitions of Number / c. Fregean numbers]

Full Idea

We hit trouble if we hear answers to some 'How many?' questions as predications about concepts. The correct answer to 'how many gallons of water are in the tank?' may be 'ten', but that doesn''t mean ten things instantiate 'gallon of water in the tank'.

Gist of Idea

Some 'how many?' answers are not predications of a concept, like 'how many gallons?'

Source

Ian Rumfitt (Concepts and Counting [2002], I)

Book Reference

-: 'Aristotelian Society' [], p.43


A Reaction

Rumfitt makes the point that a huge number of things instantiate that concept in a ten gallon tank of water. No problem, says Rumfitt, because Frege wouldn't have counted that as a statement of number.

Related Idea

Idea 17460 A statement of number contains a predication about a concept [Frege]