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Single Idea 17582

[from 'Material Beings' by Peter van Inwagen, in 7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 10. Vagueness / d. Vagueness as linguistic ]

Full Idea

Since singular terms can contain predicates, and since vague predicates are common, vague singular terms are common. For 'the tallest man that Sally knows' there are lots of men for whom it is unclear whether Sally knows them.

Gist of Idea

Singular terms can be vague, because they can contain predicates, which can be vague

Source

Peter van Inwagen (Material Beings [1990], 17)

Book Reference

Inwagen,Peter van: 'Material Beings' [Cornell 1995], p.219