Summary |
An abstraction principle (AP) allows one to introduce new singular terms by providing appropriate identity conditions. For instance, the most celebrated abstraction principle, called Hume's Principle (HP), introduces numerical terms by saying: "The number of Fs is the same as the number of Gs if and only if Fs and Gs are equinumerous (the relation of equinumerosity is definable in a second-order language without reference to numbers)." The first (and unsuccessful, because inconsistent) attempt at using APs in foundations of mathematics is due to Frege. Neo-Fregeans try to salvage Frege's project. One of the tasks is to show how various mathematical theories can be derived from appropriate APs. Another task is to develop a well-motivated acceptability criterion for APs (given that Frege's Basic Law V leads to contradiction and HP doesn't). The Bad Company objection (according to which there are separately consistent but mutually inconsistent abstraction principles) indicates that mere consistency of an AP is not enough for its acceptability. Finally neo-Fregeans have to develop a philosophically acceptable story explaining why APs can play an important role in the platonist epistemology of mathematics and what role exactly it is. |