Single Idea 23645

[catalogued under 19. Language / B. Reference / 3. Direct Reference / c. Social reference]

Full Idea

The meaning of a word (such as 'felony') is the thing conceived; and that meaning is the conception affixed to it by those who best understand the language.

Gist of Idea

A word's meaning is the thing conceived, as fixed by linguistic experts

Source

Thomas Reid (Essays on Intellectual Powers 4: Conception [1785], 1)

Book Reference

Reid,Thomas: 'Inquiry and Essays', ed/tr. Beanblossom /K.Lehrer [Hackett 1983], p.223


A Reaction

He means legal experts. This is precisely that same as Putnam's account of the meaning of 'elm tree'. His discussion here of reference is the earliest I have encountered, and it is good common sense (for which Reid is famous).

Related Idea

Idea 2338 Reference (say to 'elms') is a social phenomenon which we can leave to experts [Putnam]