more from Bertrand Russell

Single Idea 10450

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

Full Idea

Russell clearly anticipated Donnellan when he said proper names can also be used as descriptions, adding that 'there is nothing in the phraseology to show whether they are being used in this way or as names'.

Clarification

Donnellan distinguished between 'referential' and 'attributive' descriptions

Gist of Idea

Russell admitted that even names could also be used as descriptions

Source

report of Bertrand Russell (Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy [1919], p.175) by Kent Bach - What Does It Take to Refer? 22.2 L1

Book Reference

'Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Language', ed/tr. Lepore,E/Smith,B [OUP 2008], p.536


A Reaction

This seems also to anticipate Strawson's flexible and pragmatic approach to these things, which I am beginning to think is correct.