Quantum sortal predicates |
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Authors: | Décio Krause Steven French |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Philosophy, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil;(2) School of Philosophy, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK |
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Abstract: | Sortal predicates have been associated with a counting process, which acts as a criterion of identity for the individuals
they correctly apply to. We discuss in what sense certain types of predicates suggested by quantum physics deserve the title
of ‘sortal’ as well, although they do not characterize either a process of counting or a criterion of identity for the entities
that fall under them. We call such predicates ‘quantum-sortal predicates’ and, instead of a process of counting, to them is
associated a ‘criterion of cardinality’. After their general characterization, it is discussed how these predicates can be
formally described.
To Patrick Suppes on his 80th birthday. |
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Keywords: | Sortal predication Quantum predicates Sortal logic Intensional semantics |
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