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Full Idea
If we say 'Scott is the author of Waverley', we assert an identity of denotation with a difference of meaning.
Clarification
'Denotation' is the same as reference
Gist of Idea
In 'Scott is the author of Waverley', denotation is identical, but meaning is different
Source
Bertrand Russell (On Denoting [1905], p.46)
Book Ref
Russell,Bertrand: 'Logic and Knowledge', ed/tr. Marsh,Robert Charles [Routledge 1956], p.46
A Reaction
This shows Russell picking up Frege's famous distinction, as shown in 'Hesperus is Phosphorus'. To distinguish the meaning from the reference was one of the greatest (and simplest) clarifications ever offered of how language works.
| 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] |