Single Idea 18943

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

Full Idea

Russell's account implies that all sentences composed of an empty name and a predicate are false, including 'Pegasus was a mythical creature'.

Gist of Idea

Russell implies that all sentences containing empty names are false

Source

comment on Bertrand Russell (On Denoting [1905]) by Sarah Sawyer - Empty Names 4

Book Reference

'Routledge Companion to Phil of Language', ed/tr. Russell/Graff Faria [Routledge 2015], p.156


A Reaction

Russell insists that such sentences contain a concealed existence claim, which they clearly don't.

Related Idea

Idea 18942 Russell says a name contributes a complex of properties, rather than an object [Russell, by Sawyer]