Does “a thing” in sentences generalizes for all things?
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Consider this sentence:
"A government can bring about a degree of corruption abroad that the government itself does not suffer from at home."
Now we know that this sentence is true for at least 1 government (which was British govt here). Can this sentence be taken as true if this may not be true for all governments?
logic general-vs-specific
asked May 12 at 4:24
bhupenbhupen
11
add a comment |
Consider this sentence:
"A government can bring about a degree of corruption abroad that the government itself does not suffer from at home."
Now we know that this sentence is true for at least 1 government (which was British govt here). Can this sentence be taken as true if this may not be true for all governments?
logic general-vs-specific
asked May 12 at 4:24
bhupenbhupen
11
1
The way the sentence is written, it does indeed purport to be generally true. We can understand this because of the nature of the indefinite article ("a").
– aparente001
May 12 at 4:45
1
Without context, it could be a general statement. However, it may be a statement in a passage about successive British governments, or any other collection of governments; in which case, "A government" could be limited to the restricted set being considered.
– Andrew Leach♦
May 12 at 10:53
add a comment |
Consider this sentence:
"A government can bring about a degree of corruption abroad that the government itself does not suffer from at home."
Now we know that this sentence is true for at least 1 government (which was British govt here). Can this sentence be taken as true if this may not be true for all governments?
logic general-vs-specific
asked May 12 at 4:24
bhupenbhupen
11
Consider this sentence:
"A government can bring about a degree of corruption abroad that the government itself does not suffer from at home."
Now we know that this sentence is true for at least 1 government (which was British govt here). Can this sentence be taken as true if this may not be true for all governments?
logic general-vs-specific
logic general-vs-specific
asked May 12 at 4:24
bhupenbhupen
11
asked May 12 at 4:24
bhupenbhupen
11
edited May 12 at 5:00
bhupen
asked May 12 at 4:24
bhupenbhupen
11
asked May 12 at 4:24
bhupenbhupen
11
asked May 12 at 4:24
bhupenbhupen
11
11
1
The way the sentence is written, it does indeed purport to be generally true. We can understand this because of the nature of the indefinite article ("a").
– aparente001
May 12 at 4:45
1
Without context, it could be a general statement. However, it may be a statement in a passage about successive British governments, or any other collection of governments; in which case, "A government" could be limited to the restricted set being considered.
– Andrew Leach♦
May 12 at 10:53
add a comment |
1
The way the sentence is written, it does indeed purport to be generally true. We can understand this because of the nature of the indefinite article ("a").
– aparente001
May 12 at 4:45
1
Without context, it could be a general statement. However, it may be a statement in a passage about successive British governments, or any other collection of governments; in which case, "A government" could be limited to the restricted set being considered.
– Andrew Leach♦
May 12 at 10:53
1
1
The way the sentence is written, it does indeed purport to be generally true. We can understand this because of the nature of the indefinite article ("a").
– aparente001
May 12 at 4:45
The way the sentence is written, it does indeed purport to be generally true. We can understand this because of the nature of the indefinite article ("a").
– aparente001
May 12 at 4:45
1
1
Without context, it could be a general statement. However, it may be a statement in a passage about successive British governments, or any other collection of governments; in which case, "A government" could be limited to the restricted set being considered.
– Andrew Leach♦
May 12 at 10:53
Without context, it could be a general statement. However, it may be a statement in a passage about successive British governments, or any other collection of governments; in which case, "A government" could be limited to the restricted set being considered.
– Andrew Leach♦
May 12 at 10:53
add a comment |
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1
The way the sentence is written, it does indeed purport to be generally true. We can understand this because of the nature of the indefinite article ("a").
– aparente001
May 12 at 4:45
1
Without context, it could be a general statement. However, it may be a statement in a passage about successive British governments, or any other collection of governments; in which case, "A government" could be limited to the restricted set being considered.
– Andrew Leach♦
May 12 at 10:53