Ditter, Andreas;
(2025)
Higher-Order Essences: Logic and Semantics.
The Review of Symbolic Logic
10.1017/S1755020325101007.
(In press).
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Abstract
This paper develops a logic of essence (HLE) in the framework of higher-order logic. The theory aims to provide a general framework for theorizing about the essences of objects, properties, propositions, and logical operations like conjunction, negation, quantification, etc. The first part of the paper presents the formal language and axiom system of HLE. After that, some theorems of the system are proved and it is shown how the logic of metaphysical necessity can be developed within the framework of HLE. The second part of the paper develops a possible worlds semantics for HLE, gives a proof of soundness, and provides examples of models that demonstrate the consistency of some simple essentialist theories.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Higher-Order Essences: Logic and Semantics |
| DOI: | 10.1017/S1755020325101007 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1017/S1755020325101007 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of Arts and Humanities UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Dept of Philosophy |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10217067 |
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