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Single Idea 18967

[filed under theme 19. Language / D. Propositions / 2. Abstract Propositions / a. Propositions as sense ]

Full Idea

A 'proposition' is the meaning of a sentence. More precisely, since propositions are supposed to be true or false once and for all, it is the meaning of an eternal sentence. More precisely still, it is the 'cognitive' meaning, involving truth, not poetry.

Gist of Idea

A 'proposition' is said to be the timeless cognitive part of the meaning of a sentence

Source

Willard Quine (Propositional Objects [1965], p.139)

Book Ref

Quine,Willard: 'Ontological Relativity and Other Essays' [Columbia 1969], p.139

A Reaction

Quine defines this in order to attack it. I equate a proposition with a thought, and take a sentence to be an attempt to express a proposition. I have no idea why they are supposed to be 'timeless'. Philosophers have some very odd ideas.

The 19 ideas with the same theme [propositions as objective abstract entities]:

17264 Propositions are abstract structures of concepts, ready for judgement or assertion [Bolzano, by Correia/Schnieder]
12232 A 'proposition' is the sense of a linguistic expression, and can be true or false [Bolzano]
4974 For all the multiplicity of languages, mankind has a common stock of thoughts [Frege]
16873 Thoughts are not subjective or psychological, because some thoughts are the same for us all [Frege]
16872 A thought is the sense expressed by a sentence, and is what we prove [Frege]
19467 A 'thought' is something for which the question of truth can arise; thoughts are senses of sentences [Frege]
18967 A 'proposition' is said to be the timeless cognitive part of the meaning of a sentence [Quine]
18368 For all being, there is a potential proposition which expresses its existence and nature [Armstrong]
18370 A realm of abstract propositions is causally inert, so has no explanatory value [Armstrong]
2518 Sentences are abstract types (like musical scores), not individual tokens [Katz]
8076 The distinction between sentences and abstract propositions is crucial in logic [Devlin]
4604 If propositions are abstract entities, how do human beings interact with them? [Heil]
10420 Maybe a proposition is just a property with all its places filled [Swoyer]
9451 Modal logic and brain science have reaffirmed traditional belief in propositions [Bealer]
19202 Propositions are necessary existents which essentially (but inexplicably) represent things [Merricks]
19204 True propositions existed prior to their being thought, and might never be thought [Merricks]
19210 The standard view of propositions says they never change their truth-value [Merricks]
21635 Without propositions there can be no beliefs or desires [Hofweber]
18862 Are propositions all the thoughts and sentences that are possible? [Tallant]