Full Idea
A theory of how reference is specified isn't a theory of what reference is.
Gist of Idea
How reference is specified is not what reference is
Source
Hilary Putnam (Meaning and the Moral Sciences [1978], Lec V)
Book Reference
Putnam,Hilary: 'Meaning and the Moral Sciences' [RKP 1981], p.58
A Reaction
A simple and important point. We may achieve reference by naming, describing, grunting or pointing, but the question is, what have we achieved when we get there?