more from Bob Hale

Single Idea 10314

[catalogued under 2. Reason / D. Definition / 12. Paraphrase]

Full Idea

An expression ... should be reckoned a genuine singular term only if it resists elimination by paraphrase.

Gist of Idea

An expression is a genuine singular term if it resists elimination by paraphrase

Source

Bob Hale (Abstract Objects [1987], Ch.2.II)

Book Reference

Hale,Bob: 'Abstract Objects' [Blackwell 1987], p.24


A Reaction

This strikes me as extraordinarily optimistic. It will be relative to a language, and the resources of a given speaker, and seems open to the invention of new expressions to do the job (e.g. an equivalent adjective for every noun in the dictionary).

Related Idea

Idea 16375 Singular thoughts need a mental file, and an acquaintance relation from file to object [Recanati]