Full Idea
A semantic theory of names should deliver a specification of the conditions under which a name names an individual, and hence a specification of the conditions under which a name is empty.
Gist of Idea
Semantic theory should specify when an act of naming is successful
Source
Sarah Sawyer (Empty Names [2012], 1)
Book Reference
'Routledge Companion to Phil of Language', ed/tr. Russell/Graff Faria [Routledge 2015], p.153
A Reaction
Naming can be private, like naming my car 'Bertrand', but never tell anyone. I like Plato's remark that names are 'tools'. Do we specify conditions for successful spanner-usage? The first step must be individuation, preparatory to naming.
Related Idea
Idea 13777 A name is a sort of tool [Plato]