Single Idea 13377

[catalogued under 19. Language / B. Reference / 3. Direct Reference / a. Direct reference]

Full Idea

First-order logic tilts in favor of the direct reference account of proper names by using individual constants to play the intuitive role of names, and by 'interpreting' the constants simply as the individuals that are assigned to them for truth-values.

Gist of Idea

First-order logic tilts in favour of the direct reference theory, in its use of constants for objects

Source

Michael Jubien (Possibility [2009], Intro)

Book Reference

Jubien,Michael: 'Possibility' [OUP 2009], p.-1


A Reaction

This is the kind of challenge to orthodoxy that is much needed at the moment. We have an orthodoxy which is almost a new 'scholasticism', that logic will clarify our metaphysics. Trying to enhance the logic for the job may be a dead end.