Combining Texts

Ideas for 'Two Problems of Epistemology', 'Philosophy and the Nature of Language' and 'The Metaphysics of Causation'

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2 ideas

5. Theory of Logic / E. Structures of Logic / 1. Logical Form

10373	Logical form can't dictate metaphysics, as it may propose an undesirable property [Schaffer,J]
	Full Idea: Logical form should not have the last word in metaphysics, since it might predicate a property that we have theoretical reason to reject.
	From: Jonathan Schaffer (The Metaphysics of Causation [2007], 1.3.1)
	A reaction: These kind of warnings need to be sounded all the time, to prevent logicians and language experts from pitching their tents in the middle of metaphysics. They are welcome guests only,

5. Theory of Logic / F. Referring in Logic / 2. Descriptions / c. Theory of definite descriptions

4568	If 'Queen of England' does not refer if there is no queen, its meaning can't refer if there is one [Cooper,DE]
	Full Idea: If 'the Queen of England' is not a referring expression when there is no queen, nor can it be one when there is a queen - since the meaning of the expression is the same in either case.
	From: David E. Cooper (Philosophy and the Nature of Language [1973], §4.1)
	A reaction: I'm not convinced. Does this mean that since I can point with my finger at nothing, I therefore do not indicate anything when there is an object at which I am pointing. Sounds silly to me.