ABSTRACT

This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The book discusses sortals and their relationship to the subject-predicate distinction. Failure to recognise the true nature of the sortal and its role in discourse, it has been claimed, has led to many modem writers failing to recognise or appreciate what underlies the subject-predicate distinction in the sense of what makes the distinction possible. Due cognisance of sortals must be taken into account in any theory of canonical notation. The book draws the general consequences of failure to acknowledge the category of the sortal and its place in language and discourse. It explores the specific consequences of such a failure in such writers as Gareth Evans, Gottlob Frege, Russell Bertrand, P. T. Geach, P. F. Strawson and W. V. O. Quine whilst, at the same time, acknowledging their lasting, ever exciting, and challenging contributions to the Philosophy of Logic and more generally the Philosophy of Language.