Single Idea 14893

[catalogued under 19. Language / C. Assigning Meanings / 10. Two-Dimensional Semantics]

Full Idea

Kripke's proposal that referential expressions like indexicals, demonstratives, proper names and natural kind terms are de jure rigid designators created a puzzle - it entails 'modal illusions', truths that are in fact necessary appear to be contingent.

Clarification

'de jure' means 'by law' (rather than 'in practice')

Gist of Idea

Rigid designation creates a puzzle - why do some necessary truths appear to be contingent?

Source

report of Saul A. Kripke (Naming and Necessity lectures [1970], p.143-4) by Macià/Garcia-Carpentiro - Introduction to 'Two-Dimensional Semantics' 1

Book Reference

'Two-Dimensional Semantics', ed/tr. Garcia-Carpentero/Macia [OUP 2006], p.1


A Reaction

They are identifying this puzzle as the source of the need for two-dimensional semantics. Kripke notes that rigid designators may have their reference fixed by non-rigid descriptions.