Single Idea 8202

[catalogued under 19. Language / A. Nature of Meaning / 10. Denial of Meanings]

Full Idea

Meaning is essence divorced from the thing and wedded to the word.

Gist of Idea

Meaning is essence divorced from things and wedded to words

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

Quine's strategy is that a demolition of essences will be a definition of meaning. Personally I would like to defend essences, though I admit to finding meaning tricky. That is because essences are external, but meanings are in minds.