Single Idea 4979

[catalogued under 19. Language / B. Reference / 4. Descriptive Reference / a. Sense and reference]

Full Idea

The striving for truth drives us always to advance from the sense to the thing meant (the reference).

Gist of Idea

We are driven from sense to reference by our desire for truth

Source

Gottlob Frege (On Sense and Reference [1892], p.33)

Book Reference

Frege,Gottlob: 'Translations from the Writings of Gottlob Frege', ed/tr. Geach,P/Black,M [Blackwell 1980], p.63


A Reaction

As in, we want to know the reference of 'the person who shot Kennedy'. I always perk up if truth is mentioned in a discussion of language, because it reminds us of the point of the whole thing. In 'Is he the best man?' I have the reference, not the truth.