Javascript must be enabled to continue!
The Julius Caesar Problem
View through CrossRef
The Julius Caesar problem concerns cross-categorical identities such as “3 = Julius Caesar”. The problem and its significance to some Fregean projects are explained. The notions of sortal and category are introduced. A neo-Fregean argument to the effect that every object belongs to a unique category is criticized and an alternative, more pragmatic argument to the same effect is developed. The handling of such mixed identity statements often needs conceptual decisions, not just factual discoveries. The conceptual decisions of our ancestors are implicit in our inherited linguistic practices, which have by and large legislated against the overlap of categories, but exceptions to the rule are certainly possible and very likely even actual.
Title: The Julius Caesar Problem
Description:
The Julius Caesar problem concerns cross-categorical identities such as “3 = Julius Caesar”.
The problem and its significance to some Fregean projects are explained.
The notions of sortal and category are introduced.
A neo-Fregean argument to the effect that every object belongs to a unique category is criticized and an alternative, more pragmatic argument to the same effect is developed.
The handling of such mixed identity statements often needs conceptual decisions, not just factual discoveries.
The conceptual decisions of our ancestors are implicit in our inherited linguistic practices, which have by and large legislated against the overlap of categories, but exceptions to the rule are certainly possible and very likely even actual.
Related Results
Caesar’s Civil War
Caesar’s Civil War
Abstract
Caesar's Civil War is an unfinished masterpiece. It was abandoned by an author who found himself living in a different world than that which saw its commenc...
Master of Rome
Master of Rome
Abstract
David Potter’s Master of Rome presents a compelling portrait of Julius Caesar, one of ancient Rome’s most consequential figures. Identifying as a “popular” ...
Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar
Perhaps more than any other single work, Shakespeare'sJulius Caesarhas popularized the image of Brutus as a ruthless and cowardly traitor, Caesar as a noble ruler and sympathetic v...
Shakespeare: Julius Caesar
Shakespeare: Julius Caesar
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is a history play and tragedy by William Shakespeare first performed in 1599. In the play, Brutus joins a conspiracy led by Cassius to assassinate Juli...
Conquering the Ocean
Conquering the Ocean
Abstract
Why did Julius Caesar come to Britain? His own account suggests that he invaded to quell a resistance of Gallic sympathizers in the region of modern-day Ken...
Leading Rome from a Distance, 300 BCE–37 CE
Leading Rome from a Distance, 300 BCE–37 CE
Roman political leaders used distance from Rome as a key political tool to assert pre-eminence.
Through the case studies of Caesar’s hegemony, Augustus’s autocracy, and Tiberi...
Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar
Revisiting the relation between Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and its primary classical source, North’s translation of Plutarch, this essay argues that the play rejects the clarifyin...
Roman Empire
Roman Empire
Covering material from the time of Julius Caesar to the sack of Rome, this topically arranged reference set provides substantive entries on people, cities, government, institutions...

