Single Idea 8898

[catalogued under 19. Language / A. Nature of Meaning / 1. Meaning]

Full Idea

All inculcation of meanings of words must rest ultimately on sensory evidence.

Gist of Idea

Inculcations of meanings of words rests ultimately on sensory evidence

Source

Willard Quine (Epistemology Naturalized [1968], p.75)

Book Reference

Quine,Willard: 'Ontological Relativity and Other Essays' [Columbia 1969], p.75


A Reaction

This betrays Quine's behaviourist tendencies, and rules out introspection, definitions and inferences. Quine's conclusion is fairly total scepticism about meaning, but that is not surprising, given his external and meaningless starting point.