Single Idea 4689

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

Full Idea

Kripke's theory brought a social element into the function of language: a speaker is socially connected to others who may know far more than she does about the reference of her terms, and the mechanism of reference is now not in her mind, but is external.

Gist of Idea

Kripke makes reference a largely social matter, external to the mind of the speaker

Source

report of Saul A. Kripke (Naming and Necessity lectures [1970]) by Colin McGinn - The Making of a Philosopher Ch. 3

Book Reference

McGinn,Colin: 'The Making of a Philosopher' [Scribner 2003], p.71


A Reaction

Hence this theory of reference leads on to Putnam's 'wide content' and Twin Earth. I remain unconvinced. See ideas under 'Thought'.