Single Idea 14202

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

Full Idea

Mental state (in either the individualistic or the collective sense) does not fix reference.

Gist of Idea

Neither individual nor community mental states fix reference

Source

Hilary Putnam (Reason, Truth and History [1981], Ch.2)

Book Reference

Putnam,Hilary: 'Reason, Truth and History' [CUP 1998], p.25


A Reaction

The idea that communities fix reference seems to me plausible. See Tyler Burge on this.