more from Gareth Evans

Single Idea 9042

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / F. Referring in Logic / 1. Naming / a. Names]

Full Idea

Intentions alone don't bring it about that a name gets a denotation; without the intention being manifest there cannot be the common knowledge required for the practice.

Gist of Idea

A private intention won't give a name a denotation; the practice needs it to be made public

Source

Gareth Evans (The Causal Theory of Names [1973], §II)

Book Reference

Evans,Gareth: 'Collected Papers' [OUP 1985], p.18


A Reaction

Well, I might have a private name for some hated colleague which I mutter to myself whenever I see her. The way names, and language generally, becomes ossified is by joining the great impersonal sea of the language. ..waves of bones,