Abstract

The volume contains a general study of Frege's philosophy of logic, a commentary on Frege's essay, "Über Sinn und Bedeutung," and an illuminating introduction by the translator. Birjukov demonstrates a familiarity not only with the works of Frege, but also with a wide range of the literature of Western Logic. Some confusions result from too rigid application of Marxist-Leninist terminology, but on the whole Birjukov's exposition is lucid and articulate. In one case, Birjukov's philosophical orientation allows him to make a distinction unnoticed by most Western logicians; denying that Frege was a "Platonist," Birjukov attributes to Frege a realism much closer to Aristotle. In spite of criticisms levelled against Frege for his "metaphysical" presuppositions, both studies are essentially defenses of Frege, and attempts to get his work recognized in the Soviet Union. Frege is compared favorably with the "subjective idealism" of subsequent Western logic. Birjukov fails, however, to give any clear conception of what "dialectical" and "realistic" alternatives to the Western approach might be. Presumably, however, this is beyond the scope of the present studies, which are intended primarily as expositions and defenses of Frege to a Soviet audience.—A. W. W.