Single Idea 2560

[catalogued under 19. Language / A. Nature of Meaning / 7. Meaning Holism / b. Language holism]

Full Idea

For cooler heads there must be some middle view between "meanings remain and beliefs change" and "meanings change whenever beliefs do".

Gist of Idea

Can meanings remain the same when beliefs change?

Source

Richard Rorty (Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature [1980], 6.2)

Book Reference

Rorty,Richard: 'Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature' [Blackwell 1980], p.271


A Reaction

The second one seems blatanty false. How could we otherwise explain a change in belief? But obviously some changes in belief (e.g. about electrons) produce a change in meaning.