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Full Idea
In Russell's definition of 'denoting', a definite description denotes an entity if that entity fits the description uniquely.
Gist of Idea
A definite description 'denotes' an entity if it fits the description uniquely
Source
report of Bertrand Russell (On Denoting [1905]) by François Recanati - Mental Files 17.2
Book Ref
Recanati,François: 'Mental Files' [OUP 2012], p.226
A Reaction
[Recanati cites Donnellan for this] Hence denoting is not the same thing as reference. A description can denote beautifully, but fail to refer. Donnellan says if denoting were reference, someone might refer without realising it.
| 16385 | A definite description 'denotes' an entity if it fits the description uniquely [Russell, by Recanati] |
| 5810 | Referring is not denoting, and Russell ignores the referential use of definite descriptions [Donnellan on Russell] |
| 5774 | Denoting phrases are meaningless, but guarantee meaning for propositions [Russell] |
| 5775 | In 'Scott is the author of Waverley', denotation is identical, but meaning is different [Russell] |
| 18918 | Terms denote objects with properties, and statements denote the world with that property [Engelbretsen] |