What is the proper way to transfinitely extend the usual hierarchy of finite metainferential levels? McAllister (Journal of Philosophical Logic, 51, 1345–1365, 2022; Belief Revision About Logic, PhD Thesis, University of Auckland, 2024) has proven that classical logic and numerous other logics are non-unique in classical set theory. On the basis of these results, she argues for a range of philosophical consequences, including problems for logical monism, classical set theory, and the identification of logics. This paper demonstrates that McAllister’s key results are merely artifacts of the level labels which she adds to the transfinite hierarchy. It is proven that, in the absence of labels, every logic is unique in classical set theory. Moreover, I argue that if labels are not innocent additions, but instead influence the results in substantial ways, then they must be left out of the hierarchy. Therefore, in the final analysis, every logic is unique. The various problems which McAllister extracts from non-uniqueness accordingly dissolve.

Every logic is unique : transfinite metainferences in classical set theory

Kortenbach, Bas
2026

Abstract

What is the proper way to transfinitely extend the usual hierarchy of finite metainferential levels? McAllister (Journal of Philosophical Logic, 51, 1345–1365, 2022; Belief Revision About Logic, PhD Thesis, University of Auckland, 2024) has proven that classical logic and numerous other logics are non-unique in classical set theory. On the basis of these results, she argues for a range of philosophical consequences, including problems for logical monism, classical set theory, and the identification of logics. This paper demonstrates that McAllister’s key results are merely artifacts of the level labels which she adds to the transfinite hierarchy. It is proven that, in the absence of labels, every logic is unique in classical set theory. Moreover, I argue that if labels are not innocent additions, but instead influence the results in substantial ways, then they must be left out of the hierarchy. Therefore, in the final analysis, every logic is unique. The various problems which McAllister extracts from non-uniqueness accordingly dissolve.
2026
Settore M-FIL/02 - Logica e Filosofia della Scienza
Settore PHIL-02/A - Logica e filosofia della scienza
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Corrected published version.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Published version
Licenza: Creative Commons
Dimensione 2.68 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
2.68 MB Adobe PDF

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11384/169183
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 2
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 2
  • OpenAlex 2
social impact