Single Idea 13976

[catalogued under 19. Language / D. Propositions / 1. Propositions]

Full Idea

As the orthodox terms 'thoughts' and 'judgments' are equivocal, since they may equally well denote 'thinkings' as 'what-is-thought', the 'accusatives' of acts of thinking have come to be called 'propositions'.

Gist of Idea

'Propositions' name what is thought, because 'thoughts' and 'judgments' are too ambiguous

Source

Gilbert Ryle (Are there propositions? [1930], I)

Book Reference

Ryle,Gilbert: 'Collected Essays 2 1929-1968' [Routledge 2009], p.16


A Reaction

I have understood propositions to be capable of truth or falsity. 'What is thought' could be a right old jumble of images and disjointed fragments. Propositions are famous for their unity!