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Two conceptions of absolute generality

Abstract:
What is absolutely unrestricted quantification? We distinguish two theoretical roles and identify two conceptions of absolute generality: maximally strong generality and maximally inclusive generality. We also distinguish two corresponding kinds of absolute domain. A maximally strong domain contains every potential counterexample to a generalisation. A maximally inclusive domain is such that no domain extends it. We argue that both conceptions of absolute generality are legitimate and investigate the relations between them. Although these conceptions coincide in standard settings, we show how they diverge under more complex assumptions about the structure of meaningful predication, such as cumulative type theory. We conclude by arguing that maximally strong generality is the more theoretically valuable conception.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1007/s11098-022-01908-0

Authors


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Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
HUMS
Department:
Philosophy Faculty
Role:
Author


Publisher:
Springer
Journal:
Philosophical Studies More from this journal
Volume:
180
Issue:
5
Pages:
1601-1621
Publication date:
2023-03-06
Acceptance date:
2022-12-04
DOI:
EISSN:
1573-0883
ISSN:
0031-8116


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
1311346
Local pid:
pubs:1311346
Deposit date:
2022-12-05

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