Single Idea 21399

[catalogued under 19. Language / B. Reference / 1. Reference theories]

Full Idea

It makes a very great difference whether you refer to the person directly, or speak about him.

Gist of Idea

Referring to a person, and speaking about him, are very different

Source

Seneca the Younger (Letters from a Stoic [c.60], 117.13), quoted by A.A. Long - Hellenistic Philosophy 4.3.2

Book Reference

Long,A.A.: 'Hellenistic Philosophy' [Duckworth 1986], p.136


A Reaction

We seem to think that the distinctiveness of reference was first spotted by Frege. Not so.