more from Bertrand Russell

Single Idea 6112

[catalogued under 19. Language / A. Nature of Meaning / 1. Meaning]

Full Idea

There is not one relation of meaning between words and what they stand for, but as many relations of meaning, each of a different logical type, as there are logical types among the objects for which there are words.

Gist of Idea

Meaning takes many different forms, depending on different logical types

Source

Bertrand Russell (Logical Atomism [1924], p.153)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Russell's Logical Atomism', ed/tr. Pears,David [Fontana 1972], p.153


A Reaction

This might be a good warning for those engaged in the externalist/internalist debate over the meaning of concepts such as natural kind terms like 'water'. I could have an external meaning for 'elms', but an internal meaning for 'ferns'.