more from David Bostock

Single Idea 13361

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / F. Referring in Logic / 1. Naming / e. Empty names]

Full Idea

An expression is not counted as a name unless it succeeds in referring to an object, i.e. unless there really is an object to which it refers.

Gist of Idea

An expression is only a name if it succeeds in referring to a real object

Source

David Bostock (Intermediate Logic [1997], 3.1)

Book Reference

Bostock,David: 'Intermediate Logic' [OUP 1997], p.71


A Reaction

His 'i.e.' makes the existence condition sound sufficient, but in ordinary language you don't succeed in referring to 'that man over there' just because he exists. In modal contexts we presumably refer to hypothetical objects (pace Lewis).