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Single Idea 12032

[from 'Primitive Thisness and Primitive Identity' by Robert Merrihew Adams, in 19. Language / B. Reference / 3. Direct Reference / a. Direct reference ]

Full Idea

Direct reference is commonly effected by the use of proper names and indexical expressions, and sometimes by what has been called (by Donnellan) the 'referential' use of descriptions.

Gist of Idea

Direct reference is by proper names, or indexicals, or referential uses of descriptions

Source

Robert Merrihew Adams (Primitive Thisness and Primitive Identity [1979], 2)

Book Reference

'Metaphysics - An Anthology', ed/tr. Sosa,E. /Kim,J. [Blackwell 1999], p.174


A Reaction

One might enquire whether the third usage should be described as 'direct', but then I am not sure that there is much of a distinction between references which are or are not 'direct'. Either you (or a sentence) refer or you (or it) don't.