Single Idea 3968

[catalogued under 19. Language / D. Propositions / 6. Propositions Critique]

Full Idea

The idea of a proposition is unhelpful, until it is explained how exactly the words in the contained sentence manage to name or describe a proposition (which even Frege failed to achieve).

Clarification

'Propositions' are supposed mental entities underlying statements

Gist of Idea

Propositions explain nothing without an explanation of how sentences manage to name them

Source

Donald Davidson (Davidson on himself [1994], p.232)

Book Reference

'A Companion to the Philosophy of Mind', ed/tr. Guttenplan,Samuel [Blackwell 1995], p.232


A Reaction

It seems obvious to me that there are brain events best labelled as propositions, even if their fit with language is puzzling.