more from Willard Quine

Single Idea 8456

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

Full Idea

Quine extended Russell's theory for defining away definite descriptions, so that he could also define away names.

Gist of Idea

Quine extended Russell's defining away of definite descriptions, to also define away names

Source

report of Willard Quine (On What There Is [1948]) by Alex Orenstein - W.V. Quine Ch.2

Book Reference

Orenstein,Alex: 'W.V. Quine' [Princeton 2002], p.29


A Reaction

Quine also gets rid of universals and properties, so his ontology is squeezed from both the semantic and the metaphysical directions. Quine seems to be the key figure in modern ontology. If you want to expand it (E.J. Lowe), justify yourself to Quine.