Single Idea 17050

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / G. Biology / 5. Species]

Full Idea

We might find out that tigers had none of the properties by which we originally identified them.

Gist of Idea

Tigers may lack all the properties we originally used to identify them

Source

Saul A. Kripke (Naming and Necessity lectures [1970], Lecture 3)

Book Reference

Kripke,Saul: 'Naming and Necessity' [Blackwell 1980], p.121


A Reaction

This sounds like a can of worms. If I baptise someone 'the tallest man in the room', and it turns out he isn't, I withdraw my baptism. Why would I never withdraw 'tiger'? I suppose Kripke is right.