more from Bertrand Russell

Single Idea 6096

[catalogued under 19. Language / D. Propositions / 6. Propositions Critique]

Full Idea

Time was when I thought there were propositions, but it does not seem to me very plausible to say that in addition to facts there are also these curious shadowy things going about as 'That today is Wednesday' when in fact it is Tuesday.

Gist of Idea

I no longer believe in propositions, especially concerning falsehoods

Source

Bertrand Russell (The Philosophy of Logical Atomism [1918], §IV.2)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Russell's Logical Atomism', ed/tr. Pears,David [Fontana 1972], p.79


A Reaction

You need to give some account of someone who thinks 'Today is Wednesday' when it is Tuesday. We can hardly avoid talking about something like an 'intentional object', which can be expressed in a sentence. Are there not possible (formulable) propositions?