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Single Idea 10430
[filed under theme 19. Language / B. Reference / 3. Direct Reference / c. Social reference
]
Full Idea
Strawson's early work gave a new direction to the study of reference by stressing that it is a social phenomenon.
Gist of Idea
Reference is mainly a social phenomenon
Source
report of Peter F. Strawson (On Referring [1950]) by Mark Sainsbury - The Essence of Reference 18.2
Book Ref
'Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Language', ed/tr. Lepore,E/Smith,B [OUP 2008], p.402
A Reaction
The question is whether speakers refer, or sentences, or expressions, or propositions. The modern consensus seems to be that some parts of language are inherently referring, but speakers combine such tools with context. Sounds right.
The
20 ideas
from Peter F. Strawson
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16979
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It makes no sense to ask of some individual thing what it is that makes it that individual
[Strawson,P]
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16980
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We need a logical use of 'object' as predicate-worthy, and an 'ontological' use
[Strawson,P]
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7920
|
Descriptive metaphysics aims at actual structure, revisionary metaphysics at a better structure
[Strawson,P]
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7922
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Descriptive metaphysics concerns unchanging core concepts and categories
[Strawson,P]
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7921
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Close examination of actual word usage is the only sure way in philosophy
[Strawson,P]
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9282
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I can only apply consciousness predicates to myself if I can apply them to others
[Strawson,P]
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9263
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A person is an entity to which we can ascribe predicates of consciousness and corporeality
[Strawson,P]
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9281
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The idea of a predicate matches a range of things to which it can be applied
[Strawson,P]
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10430
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Reference is mainly a social phenomenon
[Strawson,P, by Sainsbury]
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10448
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If an expression can refer to anything, it may still instrinsically refer, but relative to a context
[Bach on Strawson,P]
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6413
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'The present King of France is bald' presupposes existence, rather than stating it
[Strawson,P, by Grayling]
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8354
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Russell asks when 'The King of France is wise' would be a true assertion
[Strawson,P]
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8355
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Expressions don't refer; people use expressions to refer
[Strawson,P]
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8357
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If an utterance fails to refer then it is a pseudo-use, though a speaker may think they assert something
[Strawson,P]
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8356
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The meaning of an expression or sentence is general directions for its use, to refer or to assert
[Strawson,P]
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8358
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There are no rules for the exact logic of ordinary language, because that doesn't exist
[Strawson,P]
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10841
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The word 'true' always refers to a possible statement
[Strawson,P]
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10842
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The fact which is stated by a true sentence is not something in the world
[Strawson,P]
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10843
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Facts aren't exactly true statements, but they are what those statements say
[Strawson,P]
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10844
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The statement that it is raining perfectly fits the fact that it is raining
[Strawson,P]
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