When the original Dutch version of this book was presented in 1971 to the University of Leiden as a thesis for the Doctorate in philosophy, I was prevented by the academic mores of that university from expressing my sincere thanks to three members of the Philosophical Faculty for their support of and interest in my pursuits. I take the liberty of doing so now, two and a half years later. First and foremost I want to thank Professor G. Nuchelmans warmly for his expert guidance of my research. A number of my most im portant sources were brought to my attention by him. During the whole process of composing this book his criticism and encouragement were carried out in a truly academic spirit. He thereby provided working conditions that are a sine qua non for every author who is attempting to approach controversial matters in a scientific manner, conditions which, however, were not easily available at that time. In a later phase I also came into contact with Professors L. M. de Rijk and J. B. Ubbink, with both of whom I had highly stimulating discussions and exchanges of ideas. The present edition contains some entirely new sections, viz. 1-9, IV-29, V-9, V-20, VII-14 (iii), (iv), VII-17 (i), VIII-22, IX-17, IX-19, X-9 and XI-8. Section X-9 was inspired by a remark made by Professor A.

Inhalt

1. The Problem.- I. Introduction: Problems and Sources.- II. Naming What is.- III. The Semantics of the Logical Constants.- 2. Historical Survey.- IV. From the History of the Logic of Indefinite Propositions.- V. From the History of the Logic of Individual Propositions.- VI. Singular - General - Indefinite.- VII. The Identity Theories of the Copula.- 3. Descent.- VIII. Argument by Analogy.- IX. The Problem of the Logic of Relations and its Connection with the Logic of the Articles.- 4. Ascent.- X. Introduction of Indefinite Propositions by Ekthesis.- XI. Conjunction, Potentiality, and Disjunction.- XII. Summary and Conclusion.- Index of Proper Names.- Index of Subjects.