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Single Idea 1621

[from 'Two Dogmas of Empiricism' by Willard Quine, in 19. Language / A. Nature of Meaning / 10. Denial of Meanings ]

Full Idea

Once theory of meaning and of reference are separated it is a short step to recognising as the primary business of theory of meaning simply the synonymy of linguistic forms and analyticity of statements; meanings themselves may be abandoned.

Gist of Idea

Once meaning and reference are separated, meaning ceases to seem important

Source

Willard Quine (Two Dogmas of Empiricism [1953], p.22)

Book Reference

Quine,Willard: 'From a Logical Point of View' [Harper and Row 1963], p.22


A Reaction

I can't buy the abandonment of meaning, because when I introspect my own speech there is clearly what I want to say formulating in my mind before the words are settled.