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Single Idea 4137
[filed under theme 19. Language / A. Nature of Meaning / 6. Meaning as Use
]
Full Idea
For a large class of cases - though not for all - the meaning of a word is its use in the language.
Gist of Idea
In the majority of cases the meaning of a word is its use in the language
Source
Ludwig Wittgenstein (Philosophical Investigations [1952], §043)
Book Ref
Wittgenstein,Ludwig: 'Philosophical Investigations', ed/tr. Anscombe,E. [Blackwell 1972], p.20
A Reaction
Defended by Paul Horwich, but I don't like this. If "swordfish" is a password, its meaning and its use are miles apart. Meaning connects to reality, but use doesn't.
The
27 ideas
with the same theme
[meaning of language is its use]:
20949
|
Study the use of words, not their origins
[Herder]
|
16879
|
A sign won't gain sense just from being used in sentences with familiar components
[Frege]
|
6567
|
For Wittgenstein, words are defined by their use, just as chess pieces are
[Wittgenstein, by Fogelin]
|
4137
|
In the majority of cases the meaning of a word is its use in the language
[Wittgenstein]
|
6169
|
We do not achieve meaning and understanding in our heads, but in the world
[Wittgenstein, by Rowlands]
|
4155
|
We all seem able to see quite clearly how sentences represent things when we use them
[Wittgenstein]
|
22330
|
Grice said patterns of use are often semantically irrelevant, because it is a pragmatic matter
[Grice, by Glock]
|
8356
|
The meaning of an expression or sentence is general directions for its use, to refer or to assert
[Strawson,P]
|
2354
|
"Meaning is use" is not a definition of meaning
[Putnam]
|
15666
|
To understand language is to know how to use it to reach shared understandings
[Habermas]
|
19054
|
Meaning as use puts use beyond criticism, and needs a holistic view of language
[Dummett]
|
8176
|
We could only guess the meanings of 'true' and 'false' when sentences were used
[Dummett]
|
6395
|
An understood sentence can be used for almost anything; it isn't language if it has only one use
[Davidson]
|
19162
|
Meaning involves use, but a sentence has many uses, while meaning stays fixed
[Davidson]
|
23290
|
It could be that the use of a sentence is explained by its truth conditions
[Davidson]
|
12590
|
Take meaning to be use in calculation with concepts, rather than in communication
[Harman]
|
12593
|
The use theory attaches meanings to words, not to sentences
[Harman]
|
4562
|
Most people know how to use the word "Amen", but they do not know what it means
[Cooper,DE]
|
4563
|
'How now brown cow?' is used for elocution, but this says nothing about its meaning
[Cooper,DE]
|
4001
|
The meaning of a word contains all its possible uses as well as its actual ones
[Nagel]
|
3004
|
The meaning of a sentence derives from its use in expressing an attitude
[Fodor]
|
3204
|
The meaning of "and" may be its use, but not of "animal"
[Rey]
|
7764
|
Could I successfully use an expression, without actually understanding it?
[Lycan]
|
7763
|
It is hard to state a rule of use for a proper name
[Lycan]
|
7765
|
The use of a sentence is its commitments and entitlements
[Brandom, by Lycan]
|
9595
|
You might know that the word 'gob' meant 'mouth', but not be competent to use it
[Williamson]
|
14999
|
Prior to conventions, not all green things were green?
[Sider]
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