Single Idea 12446

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / F. Referring in Logic / 1. Naming / e. Empty names]

Full Idea

Names function the same way (semantically and grammatically) regardless of whether or not there's an object that they refer to.

Gist of Idea

Names function the same way, even if there is no object

Source

Jody Azzouni (Deflating Existential Consequence [2004], Ch.3 n55)

Book Reference

Azzouni,Jody: 'Deflating Existential Consequence' [OUP 2004], p.79


A Reaction

I take this to be a fairly clear rebuttal of the 'Fido'-Fido view of names (that the meaning of the name IS the dog), which never seems to quite go away. A name is a peg on which description may be hung, seems a good slogan to me.