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Single Idea 2473

[filed under theme 19. Language / E. Analyticity / 3. Analytic and Synthetic ]

Full Idea

If there is no analytic/synthetic distinction then there are no analyses.

Gist of Idea

Analysis is impossible without the analytic/synthetic distinction

Source

Jerry A. Fodor (In a Critical Condition [2000], Ch. 3)

Book Ref

Fodor,Jerry A.: 'In Critical Condition' [MIT 2000], p.33

A Reaction

There are no precise analyses. I see no reason why a holistic view of language prohibits the careful elucidation of key concepts in the system. It's just a bit fluid.

The 7 ideas with the same theme [distinction between real assertion and the purely verbal]:

19487 Without the analytic/synthetic distinction, Carnap's ontology/empirical distinction collapses [Quine]
3087 The analytic/synthetic distinction is a silly division of thought into encyclopaedia and dictionary [Harman]
4890 A sharp analytic/synthetic line can rarely be drawn, but some concepts are central to thought [Perry]
2473 Analysis is impossible without the analytic/synthetic distinction [Fodor]
9368 Epistemological analyticity: grasp of meaning is justification; metaphysical: truth depends on meaning [Boghossian]
4717 If we abandon the analytic-synthetic distinction, scepticism about meaning may be inevitable [O'Grady]
22152 Aristotelians accept the analytic-synthetic distinction [Boulter]