Summary
Edward N. Zalta presents a theory that unifies the study of intensional logic and intentional states by grounding both in a single metaphysical structure. This theory posits an axiomatized realm of abstract entities, which, when incorporated into the world's metaphysical structure, allows for the identification and individuation of the contents of directed mental states. These abstract entities, viewed as objectified contents of mental files, are crucial for analyzing the truth conditions of sentences involved in inferential failures.
Zalta's work offers a unified explanation for various inferential failures characteristic of intensional logic, such as those involving the principles of substitutivity, existential generalization, and strong extensionality. The intentional logic he develops can analyze a wide range of these failures, providing a specific formal system to address the issues arising from mental states like beliefs, hopes, and desires, which are directed toward the world.
Key concepts
- Intensional logic — A formal system for representing and explaining apparent failures of certain principles of inference.
- Intentional states — Mental states, such as beliefs, hopes, and desires, that are directed toward the world.
- Abstract entities — Special abstract entities that serve as objectified contents of mental files.
- Inferential failures — Failures in logical inference related to principles like substitutivity, existential generalization, and strong extensionality.
- Mental files — A concept used to describe a way of organizing the objectified contents of mental states.
- Truth conditions — The conditions under which a sentence is true, which are analyzed by Zalta's theory in the context of inferential failures.
From the book
Description: In this book, Edward N. Zalta tackles the issues that arise in connection with intensional logic and intentional states. In this book, Edward N. Zalta tackles the issues that arise in connection with intensional logic - a formal system for representing and explaining the apparent failures of certain important principles of inference - and intentional states - mental states such as beliefs, hopes, and desires, that are directed toward the world. His theory not only offers a unified explanation of the various kinds of inferential failures associated with intensional logic, but also unifies the study of intensional contexts and intentional states by grounding the explanation of both phenomena in a single theory. Zalta shows that an axiomatized realm of abstract entities, when…
Snippet: In this book, Edward N. Zalta tackles the issues that arise in connection with intensional logic and intentional states.