Single Idea 6633

[catalogued under 18. Thought / C. Content / 5. Twin Earth]

Full Idea

The implication of considerations of Twin Earth cases is that even beliefs about the properties of kinds of stuff are implicitly indexical, or context-dependent, in character.

Clarification

'Indexical' statements depend on context for meaning

Gist of Idea

Twin Earth cases imply that even beliefs about kinds of stuff are indexical

Source

E.J. Lowe (Introduction to the Philosophy of Mind [2000], Ch. 4)

Book Reference

Lowe,E.J.: 'Introduction to the Philosophy of Mind' [CUP 2000], p.82


A Reaction

This is a significant connection, between debates about the nature of indexicals (such as 'I' and 'this') and externalism about content generally. Is there no distinction between objective reference and contextual reference?