From predication to programming

Minds and Machines 11 (2):257-265 (2001)
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Abstract

A free logic is one in which a singular term can fail to refer to an existent object, for example, `Vulcan' or `5/0'. This essay demonstrates the fruitfulness of a version of this non-classical logic of terms (negative free logic) by showing (1) how it can be used not only to repair a looming inconsistency in Quine's theory of predication, the most influential semantical theory in contemporary philosophical logic, but also (2) how Beeson, Farmer and Feferman, among others, use it to provide a natural foundation for partial functions in programming languages. Vis à vis (2), the question is raised whether the Beeson-Farmer-Feferman approach is adequate to the treatment of partial functions in all programming languages. Gumb and the author say No, and suggest a way of handling the refractory cases by means of positive free logic. Finally, Antonelli's solution of a problem associated with the Gumb-Lambert proposal is mentioned.

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Word and Object.Willard Van Orman Quine - 1960 - Cambridge, MA, USA: MIT Press.
Word and Object.Willard Van Orman Quine - 1960 - Les Etudes Philosophiques 17 (2):278-279.
Philosophical applications of free logic.Karel Lambert (ed.) - 1991 - New York: Oxford University Press.
Derivation and counterexample.Karel Lambert - 1972 - Encino, Calif.,: Dickenson Pub. Co.. Edited by Bas C. Van Fraassen.
Definedness.Solomon Feferman - 1995 - Erkenntnis 43 (3):295 - 320.

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