Single Idea 9148

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / E. Structures of Logic / 4. Variables in Logic]

Full Idea

It is natural nowadays to think of variables as a certain kind of sign, but I wish to think of them as a certain kind of object.

Gist of Idea

I think of variables as objects rather than as signs

Source

Kit Fine (Cantorian Abstraction: Recon. and Defence [1998], §2)

Book Reference

-: 'Journal of Philosophy' [-], p.7


A Reaction

Fine has a theory based on 'arbitrary objects', which is a rather charming idea. The cell of a spreadsheet is a kind of object, I suppose. A variable might be analogous to a point in space, where objects can locate themselves.