The Priority of Propositions. A Pragmatist Philosophy of Logic

This book argues that judgeable contents, such as propositions, are the primary bearers of logical properties, making logic embedded in our conceptual system. It provides coherent and correct definitions of logical constants, logical consequence, and truth and connects their use to the practices of rational agents in science and everyday life.

Format: Hardback
Length: 255 pages
Publication date: 23 February 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This monograph presents a robust defense of the Fregean approach to logic. The author argues that the projects of Frege in logic and philosophy of language are intrinsically linked, and that the formalist shift brought about by the work of Peano, Boole, Schroeder, and continued by Hilbert and Tarski is entirely at odds with Frege's approach in the Begriffsschrift. A central thesis of the book is that judgeable contents, specifically propositions, are the primary bearers of logical properties. This approach enables coherent and accurate definitions of logical constants, logical consequence, and truth, and establishes a connection between their usage and the practices of rational agents in science and everyday life.

The author emphasizes that Frege's philosophy of language is rooted in his belief in the importance of sense as the foundation of meaning. He rejects the idea that logical concepts are abstract entities that exist independently of our sensory experiences. Instead, Frege posits that logical concepts are derived from our perception of the world through the senses and are shaped by our language and cultural background.

According to Frege, the primary function of logic is to provide a systematic framework for the analysis and interpretation of language. He argues that logical principles and rules enable us to identify the meanings of sentences, determine their truth values, and draw valid conclusions based on them. Frege's approach to logic is characterized by his emphasis on the clarity, precision, and consistency of language. He believes that logical reasoning should be guided by clear and unambiguous rules, and that any ambiguity or confusion in language should be resolved through logical analysis.

One of the key concepts in Frege's philosophy of logic is the notion of sense. According to Frege, sense is the foundation of meaning and is the source of all logical concepts. Sense is the capacity to perceive and understand the world through the senses. It is the source of our knowledge of objects, events, and relationships in the world. Frege argues that sense is the basis of all logical reasoning and that logical concepts are derived from our perception of the world through the senses.

Another important concept in Frege's philosophy of logic is the notion of sense-data. Sense-data are the individual elements of our sensory experiences that we perceive through the senses. They are the building blocks of our knowledge of the world. Frege argues that sense-data are the primary bearers of logical properties and that logical concepts are derived from our perception of sense-data.

Frege's philosophy of logic has had a significant impact on the development of logic and philosophy of language. His emphasis on the importance of sense and sense-data has led to a greater recognition of the role of perception and experience in the acquisition of knowledge. His approach to logic has also influenced the development of formal logic, which is a rigorous and systematic approach to the analysis and interpretation of language.

In conclusion, this monograph presents a compelling defense of the Fregean approach to logic. The author argues that Frege's projects in logic and philosophy of language are interconnected, and that the formalist shift brought about by the work of Peano, Boole, Schroeder, and Hilbert and Tarski is entirely alien to Frege's approach in the Begriffsschrift. The book emphasizes the importance of judgeable contents, specifically propositions, as the primary bearers of logical properties, and establishes a connection between their usage and the practices of rational agents in science and everyday life. Frege's philosophy of language is rooted in his belief in the importance of sense as the foundation of meaning, and his approach to logic is characterized by his emphasis on the clarity, precision, and consistency of language. His notion of sense and sense-data has had a significant impact on the development of logic and philosophy of language, and his approach to logic has influenced the development of formal logic.

Weight: 594g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031252280
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023