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Full Idea
If a speaker introduced a designator into a language by a ceremony, then in virtue of his very linguistic act, he would be in a position to say 'I know that Fa', but nevertheless 'Fa' would be a contingent truth (provided F is not an essential property).
Gist of Idea
The very act of designating of an object with properties gives knowledge of a contingent truth
Source
Saul A. Kripke (Naming and Necessity preface [1980], p.14)
Book Ref
Kripke,Saul: 'Naming and Necessity' [Blackwell 1980], p.14
A Reaction
If someone else does the designation, I seem to have contingent knowledge that the ceremony has taken place. You needn't experience the object, but you must experience the ceremony, even if you perform it.
12736 | If we understand God and his choices, we have a priori knowledge of contingent truths [Leibniz, by Garber] |
13159 | Only God sees contingent truths a priori [Leibniz] |
9386 | The meter is defined necessarily, but the stick being one meter long is contingent a priori [Kripke] |
9385 | The very act of designating of an object with properties gives knowledge of a contingent truth [Kripke] |
12429 | Knowing our own existence is a priori, but not necessary [Kitcher] |
17703 | Light in straight lines is contingent a priori; stipulated as straight, because they happen to be so [Mares] |