Full Idea
An identity statement 'A=B' is informative to the extent that the terms 'A' and 'B' are associated with distinct mental files.
Gist of Idea
Identity statements are informative if they link separate mental files
Source
François Recanati (Mental Files [2012], 4.1)
Book Reference
Recanati,François: 'Mental Files' [OUP 2012], p.42
A Reaction
Hence the information in 'Scott is the author of 'Waverley'' is information about what is in your mind, not what is happening in Scotland. This is Recanati's solution to one of Frege's classic puzzles. 'Morning Star' and 'Evening Star' files. Nice.
Related Idea
Idea 16359 Sense is a mental file (not its contents); similar files for Cicero and Tully are two senses [Recanati]