Single Idea 9039

[catalogued under 19. Language / B. Reference / 4. Descriptive Reference / b. Reference by description]

Full Idea

The strong thesis (that descriptions are sufficient for reference) is outrageous. It would mean that if Mr X is wrongly introduced to me as Mr Y, then I truly say 'this is Mr Y' if X overwhelmingly satisfies descriptions of Y.

Gist of Idea

If descriptions are sufficient for reference, then I must accept a false reference if the descriptions fit

Source

Gareth Evans (The Causal Theory of Names [1973], §I)

Book Reference

Evans,Gareth: 'Collected Papers' [OUP 1985], p.3


A Reaction

[I omit some qualifying phrases] Evans says that probably no one ever held this view. It seems right. In the case of an electron it would seem that all the descriptions could be the same, except space-time location. Same electron as yesterday?