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Full Idea
The way to mean a fact is to assert it; the way to mean a simple is to name it.
Clarification
'Simples' are his basic 'logical atoms' (see Idea 6114)
Gist of Idea
To mean facts we assert them; to mean simples we name them
Source
Bertrand Russell (Logical Atomism [1924], p.156)
Book Ref
Russell,Bertrand: 'Russell's Logical Atomism', ed/tr. Pears,David [Fontana 1972], p.156
A Reaction
Thus logical atomism is a linguistic programme, of reducing our language to a foundation of pure names. The recent thought of McDowell and others is aimed at undermining any possibility of a 'simple' in perception. The myth of 'The Given'.
| 10968 | Russell gave up logical atomism because of negative, general and belief propositions [Russell, by Read] |
| 6107 | It is logic, not metaphysics, that is fundamental to philosophy [Russell] |
| 6109 | Some axioms may only become accepted when they lead to obvious conclusions [Russell] |
| 6108 | Maths can be deduced from logical axioms and the logic of relations [Russell] |
| 6110 | Subject-predicate logic (and substance-attribute metaphysics) arise from Aryan languages [Russell] |
| 6111 | As propositions can be put in subject-predicate form, we wrongly infer that facts have substance-quality form [Russell] |
| 6112 | Meaning takes many different forms, depending on different logical types [Russell] |
| 6113 | To mean facts we assert them; to mean simples we name them [Russell] |
| 6114 | 'Simples' are not experienced, but are inferred at the limits of analysis [Russell] |
| 6116 | A logical language would show up the fallacy of inferring reality from ordinary language [Russell] |
| 6115 | Vagueness, and simples being beyond experience, are obstacles to a logical language [Russell] |
| 6117 | Philosophy should be built on science, to reduce error [Russell] |
| 21722 | Better to construct from what is known, than to infer what is unknown [Russell] |
| 6118 | Philosophy is logical analysis, followed by synthesis [Russell] |