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Single Idea 20300

[from 'The Analytic/Synthetic Distinction' by Georges Rey, in 19. Language / A. Nature of Meaning / 8. Synonymy ]

Full Idea

Externalists are typically committed to counting expressions as 'synonymous' if they happen to be linked in the right way to the same external phenomena, even if a thinker couldn't realise that they are by reflection alone.

Gist of Idea

Externalist synonymy is there being a correct link to the same external phenomena

Source

Georges Rey (The Analytic/Synthetic Distinction [2013], 4.2)

Book Reference

'Stanford Online Encyclopaedia of Philosophy', ed/tr. Stanford University [plato.stanford.edu], p.11


A Reaction

[He cites Fodor] Externalists always try to link to concrete things in the world, but most of our talk is full of generalities, abstractions and fiction which don't link directly to anything.