Does Frege Have Aristotle's Number?

被引:2
作者
Katz, Emily [1 ]
机构
[1] Michigan State Univ, E Lansing, MI 48824 USA
关键词
Aristotle; Frege; arithmetic; number; relative;
D O I
10.1017/apa.2021.42
中图分类号
B [哲学、宗教];
学科分类号
01 ; 0101 ;
摘要
Frege argues that number is so unlike the thingswe accept as properties of external objects that it cannot be such a property. In particular, (1) number is arbitrary in a way that qualities are not, and (2) number is not predicated of its subjects in the way that qualities are. Most Aristotle scholars suppose either that Frege has refuted Aristotle's number theory or that Aristotle avoids Frege's objections by not making numbers properties of external objects. This has led some to conclude that Aristotle's accounts of arithmetical and geometrical objects differ substantially. I close this supposed gap by showing that Aristotle's arithmetical objects, like geometrical objects, are just certain sensible things qua certain properties they in fact possess. Specifically, numbers are pluralities qua quantitative or relational properties like ten units or ten. I show that this view is resistant to the Fregean concerns about arbitrariness and numerical predication.
引用
收藏
页码:135 / 153
页数:19
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