Single Idea 16393

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

Full Idea

In super-direct reference, the sort of thing Russell was after, there is no mode of presentation: the referent itself serves as its own vehicle, as it were.

Gist of Idea

In super-direct reference, the referent serves as its own vehicle of reference

Source

François Recanati (Mental Files [2012], 18.2)

Book Reference

Recanati,François: 'Mental Files' [OUP 2012], p.252


A Reaction

To me this is a step too far, because reference is not some physical object like a chair; it is a mental or linguistic phenomenon. Chair's don't refer themselves; it is people who refer.