Single Idea 18935

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / F. Referring in Logic / 1. Naming / a. Names]

Full Idea

A semantic theory of names should deliver a specification of the conditions under which a name names an individual, and hence a specification of the conditions under which a name is empty.

Gist of Idea

Semantic theory should specify when an act of naming is successful

Source

Sarah Sawyer (Empty Names [2012], 1)

Book Reference

'Routledge Companion to Phil of Language', ed/tr. Russell/Graff Faria [Routledge 2015], p.153


A Reaction

Naming can be private, like naming my car 'Bertrand', but never tell anyone. I like Plato's remark that names are 'tools'. Do we specify conditions for successful spanner-usage? The first step must be individuation, preparatory to naming.

Related Idea

Idea 13777 A name is a sort of tool [Plato]