Single Idea 8201

[catalogued under 19. Language / E. Analyticity / 4. Analytic/Synthetic Critique]

Full Idea

The distinction between what belongs to the meaning of a word and what counts as further information is scarcely clearer than the distinction between the essence of a thing and its accidents.

Gist of Idea

The distinction between meaning and further information is as vague as the essence/accident distinction

Source

Willard Quine (Vagaries of Definition [1972], p.51)

Book Reference

Quine,Willard: 'Ways of Paradox and other essays' [Harvard 1976], p.51


A Reaction

In lots of cases the distinction between essence and accident strikes me as totally clear. Tricky borderline cases don't destroy a distinction. That bachelors are married is clearly not 'further information'.