Journal article
On the Curious Calculi of Wittgenstein and Spencer Brown
The journal for the history of analytical philosophy, Vol.6(10)
12/09/2018
DOI: 10.15173/jhap.v6i10.3400
Abstract
In his Tractatus, Wittgenstein sets out what he calls his N-operator notation which can be used to calculate whether an expression is a tautology. In his Laws of Form, George Spencer Brown offers what he calls a “primary algebra” for such calculation. Both systems are perplexing. But comparing two blurry images can reduce noise, producing a focus. This paper reveals that Spencer Brown independently rediscovered the quantifier-free part of the N-operator calculus. The comparison sheds a flood light on each and from the letters of correspondence we shall find that Russell, as one might have surmised, was a catalyst for both.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- On the Curious Calculi of Wittgenstein and Spencer Brown
- Creators
- Gregory Landini
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The journal for the history of analytical philosophy, Vol.6(10)
- DOI
- 10.15173/jhap.v6i10.3400
- ISSN
- 2159-0303
- eISSN
- 2159-0303
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 12/09/2018
- Academic Unit
- Philosophy
- Record Identifier
- 9984398368402771
Metrics
10 Record Views