more from Bertrand Russell

Single Idea 14463

[catalogued under 7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 1. Nature of Existence]

Full Idea

Existence can only be asserted of something described, not of something named.

Gist of Idea

Existence can only be asserted of something described, not of something named

Source

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

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy' [George Allen and Unwin 1975], p.203


A Reaction

This is the motivation behind Russell's theory of definite descriptions, and epitomises the approach to ontology through language. Sounds wrong to me!