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Single Idea 15530

[filed under theme 10. Modality / E. Possible worlds / 3. Transworld Objects / b. Rigid designation ]

Full Idea

A logically determinate name is one which names the same thing in every possible world.

Gist of Idea

A logically determinate name names the same thing in every possible world

Source

David Lewis (How to Define Theoretical Terms [1970], III)

Book Ref

Lewis,David: 'Philosophical Papers Vol.1' [OUP 1983], p.86

A Reaction

This appears to be rigid designation, before Kripke introduced the new word.

The 6 ideas from 'How to Define Theoretical Terms'

15527 Defining terms either enables elimination, or shows that they don't require elimination [Lewis]
15526 There is a method for defining new scientific terms just using the terms we already understand [Lewis]
15528 A Ramsey sentence just asserts that a theory can be realised, without saying by what [Lewis]
15529 It is better to have one realisation of a theory than many - but it may not always be possible [Lewis]
15530 A logically determinate name names the same thing in every possible world [Lewis]
15531 The Ramsey sentence of a theory says that it has at least one realisation [Lewis]