Single Idea 2342

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / B. Natural Kinds / 5. Reference to Natural Kinds]

Full Idea

"Water" functions as a natural kind term, but "H2O" is a description, synonymous with an account of its atoms.

Gist of Idea

"Water" is a natural kind term, but "H2O" is a description

Source

Hilary Putnam (Representation and Reality [1988], §3 p.50)

Book Reference

Putnam,Hilary: 'Representation and Reality' [MIT 1992], p.50