Single Idea 23285

[catalogued under 7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 8. Facts / e. Facts rejected]

Full Idea

If we try to provide a serious semantics for reference to facts, we discover that they melt into one; there is no telling them apart. The relevant argument (the 'Slingshot') was credited to Frege by Alonso Church.

Gist of Idea

If we try to identify facts precisely, they all melt into one (as the Slingshot Argument proves)

Source

Donald Davidson (Truth Rehabilitated [1997], p.5)

Book Reference

Davidson,Donald: 'Truth, Language and History' [OUP 2005], p.5


A Reaction

This sounds like good grounds for not attempting to be too precise. 'There are bluebells in my local wood' identifies a fact by words, but even an animal can distinguish this fact. Only a logician dreams of making its content precise.