Logic and theory of representation

TL;DR

This paper proposes a comprehensive theory of representation in logic, emphasizing its role in language analysis and suggesting that logic itself can be viewed as an abstract theory of representation.

Contribution

It introduces three key logical properties—completeness, faithfulness, coherence—that any adequate representational system should possess, framing logic as a theory of representation.

Findings

Logical laws are laws of representation

Representation systems can access beyond immediate presence

Logic can be viewed as an abstract theory of representation

Abstract

Underlying the theory of inferences, a primary task of logic is language analysis. Such a task can be understood as depending on a general theory of representation, taking as a starting point the idea that some entities (`` representations '') can present some entites (`` contents ''). We outline a theory of representation accounting for the capacity of representational systems to access universes that extend beyond an immediate presence. We define three logical properties that any adequate representational system should have: completeness, faithfulness, coherence. We show that logical laws are laws of representation. Finally, it appears that logic can be considered as the abstract theory of representation.