more from Bertrand Russell

Single Idea 14455

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / F. Referring in Logic / 2. Descriptions / a. Descriptions]

Full Idea

In 'I met a unicorn' the four words together make a significant proposition, and the word 'unicorn' is significant, …but the two words 'a unicorn' do not form a group having a meaning of its own. It is an indefinite description describing nothing.

Gist of Idea

'I met a unicorn' is meaningful, and so is 'unicorn', but 'a unicorn' is not

Source

Bertrand Russell (Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy [1919], XVI)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy' [George Allen and Unwin 1975], p.170