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)
“The usefulness of madmen is famous: they demonstrate society’s logic flagrantly carried out down to its last scrimshaw scrap.”
—Cynthia Ozick (b. 1928)