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Single Idea 3893

[from 'The Meaning of 'Meaning'' by Hilary Putnam, in 19. Language / B. Reference / 4. Descriptive Reference / a. Sense and reference ]

Full Idea

Putnam argues that, Frege notwithstanding, it is often the case that reference determines sense, and not vice versa.

Clarification

Frege argued that things only refer because of the way they are described; Putnam prefers a causal link

Gist of Idea

Often reference determines sense, and not (as Frege thought) vice versa

Source

report of Hilary Putnam (The Meaning of 'Meaning' [1975]) by Roger Scruton - Modern Philosophy:introduction and survey 19.6

Book Reference

Scruton,Roger: 'Modern Philosophy: introduction and survey' [Sinclair-Stevenson 1994], p.263


A Reaction

Does this say anything more than that once you have established a reference, you can begin to collect information about the referent?