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Full Idea
We should interpret philosophers as if their own theory of the meaning of their utterances were true, whether or not we agree with that theory.
Gist of Idea
We should always apply someone's theory of meaning to their own utterances
Source
David Liggins (Nihilism without Self-Contradiction [2008], 8)
Book Ref
'Being: Developments in Contemporary Metaphysics', ed/tr. Le Poidevin,R [CUP 2008], p.191
A Reaction
This seems to give legitimate grounds for some sorts of ad hominem objections. It would simply be an insult to a philosopher not to believe their theories, and then apply them to what they have said. This includes semantic theories.
| 14231 | We should always apply someone's theory of meaning to their own utterances [Liggins] |
| 14232 | We normally formalise 'There are Fs' with singular quantification and predication, but this may be wrong [Liggins] |
| 14233 | Nihilists needn't deny parts - they can just say that some of the xs are among the ys [Liggins] |