Single Idea 4572

[catalogued under 19. Language / C. Assigning Meanings / 3. Predicates]

Full Idea

If predicates are names of entities, then subject/predicate sentences are pairs of names, since subjects are names (or referring expressions). But a pair of names is not a sentence at all, it is a mere list.

Gist of Idea

If predicates name things, that reduces every sentence to a mere list of names

Source

David E. Cooper (Philosophy and the Nature of Language [1973], §4.4)

Book Reference

Cooper,David E.: 'Philosophy and the Nature of Language' [Longman 1979], p.93


A Reaction

If that is meant to demolish universals it is too quick. Concatenating names is not the same as listing them. A relationship is asserted. There is a (mysterious) Platonic 'partaking' between form and particular. Perhaps.