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Single Idea 5782

[filed under theme 19. Language / D. Propositions / 1. Propositions ]

Full Idea

I shall distinguish a proposition expressed in words as a 'word-proposition', and one consisting of images as an 'image-proposition'.

Gist of Idea

A proposition expressed in words is a 'word-proposition', and one of images an 'image-proposition'

Source

Bertrand Russell (On Propositions: What they are, and Meaning [1919], §III)

Book Ref

Russell,Bertrand: 'Logic and Knowledge', ed/tr. Marsh,Robert Charles [Routledge 1956], p.308


A Reaction

This, I think, is good, though it raises the question of what exactly an 'image' is when it is non-visual, as when a dog believes its owner called. This distinction prevents us from regarding all knowledge and ontology as verbal in form.


The 9 ideas from 'On Propositions: What they are, and Meaning'

If we object to all data which is 'introspective' we will cease to believe in toothaches [Russell]
There are distinct sets of psychological and physical causal laws [Russell]
Our important beliefs all, if put into words, take the form of propositions [Russell]
A proposition expressed in words is a 'word-proposition', and one of images an 'image-proposition' [Russell]
The three questions about belief are its contents, its success, and its character [Russell]
Propositions of existence, generalities, disjunctions and hypotheticals make correspondence tricky [Russell]
In its primary and formal sense, 'true' applies to propositions, not beliefs [Russell]
The truth or falsehood of a belief depends upon a fact to which the belief 'refers' [Russell]
A proposition is what we believe when we believe truly or falsely [Russell]