Single Idea 10440

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / F. Referring in Logic / 2. Descriptions / a. Descriptions]

Full Idea

An object can be described without being referred to.

Gist of Idea

An object can be described without being referred to

Source

Kent Bach (What Does It Take to Refer? [2006], Intro)

Book Reference

'Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Language', ed/tr. Lepore,E/Smith,B [OUP 2008], p.519


A Reaction

I'm not clear how this is possible for a well-known object, though it is clearly possible for a speculative object, such as a gadget I would like to buy. In the former case reference seems to occur even if the speaker is trying to avoid it.