Single Idea 19201

[catalogued under 19. Language / D. Propositions / 3. Concrete Propositions]

Full Idea

If a singular proposition is 'directly about' an entity, I argue that a singular proposition does not have the entity that it is directly about as a constituent.

Gist of Idea

Propositions can be 'about' an entity, but that doesn't make the entity a constituent of it

Source

Trenton Merricks (Propositions [2015], Intro)

Book Reference

Merricks,Trenton: 'Propositions' [OUP 2015], p.-3


A Reaction

This opposes the view of the early Russell, that propositions actually contain the entities they are about, thus making propositions real features of the external world. I take that view of Russell's to be absurd.