Clothings Quote by Willard Van Orman Quine
“Set theory in sheep's clothing.”
About This Quote
Source Philosophical essay: “On What There Is” 1948
A critique that set theory, though abstract, disguises itself as something more concrete.
In simple terms: Set theory hides behind everyday language.
Key Takeaway
Recognize abstract concepts behind familiar terms.
Themes
philosophy
mathematics
logic
Mood
analytical
critical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- academic lecture
- study group
- research discussion
Key Concepts
ontology
formal systems
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language shape our understanding of mathematics?
- When does abstraction become a barrier?
A Different Perspective
The analogy may obscure set theory’s rigor.
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![“[how can anyone] be silly enough to think himself better than other people, because his clothes are made of finer woolen thread than theirs. After all, those fine clothes were once worn by a sheep, and they never turned it into anything better than a sheep.” quote by Thomas More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/682/thomas-more-3382_clothing_how-can-anyone-be-silly-enough-to-think_2738924.jpg)
![“A sheep in sheep’s clothing. [on Clement Atlee]” quote by Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/728/winston-churchill-95_quote_a-sheep-in-sheep-s-clothing-on-clement-a_908075.jpg)
![“Some have said that the thesis [of indeterminacy] is a consequence of my behaviorism. Some have said that it is a reductio ad absurdum of my behaviorism. I disagree with this second point, but I agree with the first. I hold further that the behaviorism approach is mandatory. In psychology one may…” quote by Willard Van Orman Quine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3e0/willard-van-orman-quine-10137_ads_some-have-said-that-the-thesis-of-indete_315688.jpg)
