Karel Lambert

Karel Lambert (born 1928) is an American philosopher and logician associated with the University of California, Irvine, and the University of Salzburg. He is widely recognized for coining the term "free logic," a branch of logic that adjusts standard predicate logic to remove existential assumptions. Lambert's work in this area, particularly his "Lambert's law," focuses on the implications for definite descriptions and universal instantiation, allowing for statements about non-existent entities without presupposing their existence. His publications include "Free Logic and the Concept of Existence" and "Philosophical Applications of Free Logic," which delve into the intricacies of his theories and their applications in philosophical contexts.