subset that has the same name as the set?
September 5, 2017 9:00 PM Subscribe
I'm looking for a way to refer to a subset that has the same name as the set it is included in, but context makes the distinction obvious. It feels very similar to a homonym, but it's more an issue of a difference in antecedent within the same set.
The best example I can think of is if we refer to the set of all men as "guys," and someone says, "I'm hanging out tonight with the guys." Context makes it obvious that plans have not been made with "all guys" possible, but a known subset that shares the same name. Is there a way to refer to this kind of subset that has a name similarity in relation to the whole? To give some background, I'm making an academic argument about this happening in another language, where recognizing the difference between the set and the subset, which use the same name, is essential to the interpretation.
The best example I can think of is if we refer to the set of all men as "guys," and someone says, "I'm hanging out tonight with the guys." Context makes it obvious that plans have not been made with "all guys" possible, but a known subset that shares the same name. Is there a way to refer to this kind of subset that has a name similarity in relation to the whole? To give some background, I'm making an academic argument about this happening in another language, where recognizing the difference between the set and the subset, which use the same name, is essential to the interpretation.
Best answer: I gotta throw a stake down for straight-up synecdoche, in the "tickle the ivories" way.
posted by rhizome at 9:18 PM on September 5, 2017
posted by rhizome at 9:18 PM on September 5, 2017
Russell's Paradox wouldn't be a bad starting point, because it will get you quickly to Universal Set. Not sure if any of the examples in those articles get you exactly where you want to be.
posted by enfa at 9:33 PM on September 5, 2017
posted by enfa at 9:33 PM on September 5, 2017
Response by poster: Oh, that's wonderful. I have to figure out which category is the best, but it certainly gets me close enough to start using the terminology correctly. Thanks!
posted by SpacemanStix at 9:37 PM on September 5, 2017
posted by SpacemanStix at 9:37 PM on September 5, 2017
You mean a proper subset, right? Every set is a subset of itself.
posted by thelonius at 4:13 AM on September 6, 2017
posted by thelonius at 4:13 AM on September 6, 2017
Response by poster: Yes, correct! That's a helpful distinction.
posted by SpacemanStix at 1:46 PM on September 7, 2017
posted by SpacemanStix at 1:46 PM on September 7, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
It's sort of the reverse of a synecdoche. Which is not a named thing, as far as I know.
posted by hoyland at 9:12 PM on September 5, 2017 [1 favorite]