Stoic logic and multiple generality

We argue that the extant evidence for Stoic logic provides all the elements required for a variable-free theory of multiple generality, including a number of remarkably modern features that straddle logic and semantics, such as the understanding of one- and two-place predicates as functions, the can...

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Main Authors: Bobzien, S, Shogry, S
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: Michigan Publishing 2020
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author Bobzien, S
Shogry, S
author_facet Bobzien, S
Shogry, S
author_sort Bobzien, S
collection OXFORD
description We argue that the extant evidence for Stoic logic provides all the elements required for a variable-free theory of multiple generality, including a number of remarkably modern features that straddle logic and semantics, such as the understanding of one- and two-place predicates as functions, the canonical formulation of universals as quantified conditionals, a straightforward relation between elements of propositional and first-order logic, and the roles of anaphora and rigid order in the regimented sentences that express multiply general propositions. We consider and reinterpret some ancient texts that have been neglected in the context of Stoic universal and existential propositions and offer new explanations of some puzzling features in Stoic logic. Our results confirm that Stoic logic surpasses Aristotle’s with regard to multiple generality, and are a reminder that focusing on multiple generality through the lens of Frege-inspired variable-binding quantifier theory may hamper our understanding and appreciation of pre-Fregean theories of multiple generality.
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spelling oxford-uuid:b51729b1-6891-4b09-98ed-6d0b6b47bc3c2022-03-27T04:30:54ZStoic logic and multiple generalityJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:b51729b1-6891-4b09-98ed-6d0b6b47bc3cEnglishSymplectic ElementsMichigan Publishing2020Bobzien, SShogry, SWe argue that the extant evidence for Stoic logic provides all the elements required for a variable-free theory of multiple generality, including a number of remarkably modern features that straddle logic and semantics, such as the understanding of one- and two-place predicates as functions, the canonical formulation of universals as quantified conditionals, a straightforward relation between elements of propositional and first-order logic, and the roles of anaphora and rigid order in the regimented sentences that express multiply general propositions. We consider and reinterpret some ancient texts that have been neglected in the context of Stoic universal and existential propositions and offer new explanations of some puzzling features in Stoic logic. Our results confirm that Stoic logic surpasses Aristotle’s with regard to multiple generality, and are a reminder that focusing on multiple generality through the lens of Frege-inspired variable-binding quantifier theory may hamper our understanding and appreciation of pre-Fregean theories of multiple generality.
spellingShingle Bobzien, S
Shogry, S
Stoic logic and multiple generality
title Stoic logic and multiple generality
title_full Stoic logic and multiple generality
title_fullStr Stoic logic and multiple generality
title_full_unstemmed Stoic logic and multiple generality
title_short Stoic logic and multiple generality
title_sort stoic logic and multiple generality
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AT shogrys stoiclogicandmultiplegenerality