Definite Description - Mathematical Logic

Mathematical Logic

In much formal work, authors use a definite description operator symbolized using . The operator is usually defined so as to reflect a Russellian analysis of descriptions (though other authors, especially in linguistics, use the operator with a Fregean semantics). Thus

,

means "the unique such that ", and

is stipulated to be equivalent to "There is exactly one and it has the property ":

Read more about this topic:  Definite Description

Famous quotes containing the words mathematical and/or logic:

    The circumstances of human society are too complicated to be submitted to the rigour of mathematical calculation.
    Marquis De Custine (1790–1857)

    Logic is not a body of doctrine, but a mirror-image of the world. Logic is transcendental.
    Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889–1951)