Single Idea 3149

[catalogued under 19. Language / B. Reference / 4. Descriptive Reference / a. Sense and reference]

Full Idea

Referential Opacity says you cannot preserve truth if you substitute one referring term for another ('Oedipus desires Jocasta', 'Oedipus desires his mother').

Gist of Idea

Referential Opacity says truth is lost when you substitute one referring term ('mother') for another ('Jocasta')

Source

Georges Rey (Contemporary Philosophy of Mind [1997], 2.5.6)

Book Reference

Rey,Georges: 'Contemporary Philosophy of Mind' [Blackwell 1997], p.58


A Reaction

….That is, in the context of expressing a propositional attitude. 'Oedipus desired his mother' was true. This idea requires some ignorance on the part of the person expressing the thought.