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Single Idea 7763

[from 'Philosophy of Language' by William Lycan, in 19. Language / A. Nature of Meaning / 6. Meaning as Use ]

Full Idea

Proper names pose a problem for the "use" theorist. Try stating a rule of use for the name 'William G. Lycan'.

Gist of Idea

It is hard to state a rule of use for a proper name

Source

William Lycan (Philosophy of Language [2000], Ch. 6)

Book Reference

Lycan,William G.: 'Philosophy of Language' [Routledge 2000], p.94


A Reaction

Presumably it is normally used in connection with a particular human being, and is typically the subject of a grammatical sentence. Any piece of language could also be used to, say, attract someone's attention.