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Single Idea 6112
[filed under theme 19. Language / A. Nature of Meaning / 1. Meaning
]
Full Idea
There is not one relation of meaning between words and what they stand for, but as many relations of meaning, each of a different logical type, as there are logical types among the objects for which there are words.
Gist of Idea
Meaning takes many different forms, depending on different logical types
Source
Bertrand Russell (Logical Atomism [1924], p.153)
Book Ref
Russell,Bertrand: 'Russell's Logical Atomism', ed/tr. Pears,David [Fontana 1972], p.153
A Reaction
This might be a good warning for those engaged in the externalist/internalist debate over the meaning of concepts such as natural kind terms like 'water'. I could have an external meaning for 'elms', but an internal meaning for 'ferns'.
The
14 ideas
from 'Logical Atomism'
10968
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Russell gave up logical atomism because of negative, general and belief propositions
[Russell, by Read]
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6107
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It is logic, not metaphysics, that is fundamental to philosophy
[Russell]
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6109
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Some axioms may only become accepted when they lead to obvious conclusions
[Russell]
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6108
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Maths can be deduced from logical axioms and the logic of relations
[Russell]
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6110
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Subject-predicate logic (and substance-attribute metaphysics) arise from Aryan languages
[Russell]
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6111
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As propositions can be put in subject-predicate form, we wrongly infer that facts have substance-quality form
[Russell]
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6112
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Meaning takes many different forms, depending on different logical types
[Russell]
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6113
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To mean facts we assert them; to mean simples we name them
[Russell]
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6114
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'Simples' are not experienced, but are inferred at the limits of analysis
[Russell]
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6116
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A logical language would show up the fallacy of inferring reality from ordinary language
[Russell]
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6115
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Vagueness, and simples being beyond experience, are obstacles to a logical language
[Russell]
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6117
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Philosophy should be built on science, to reduce error
[Russell]
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21722
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Better to construct from what is known, than to infer what is unknown
[Russell]
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6118
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Philosophy is logical analysis, followed by synthesis
[Russell]
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