Single Idea 6340

[catalogued under 19. Language / D. Propositions / 1. Propositions]

Full Idea

There are pure, Fregean, abstract, de dicto propositions, in which a compositional structure is filled only with senses; there are pure, Russellian, concrete, de re propositions, which are filled with referents; and there are mixed propositions.

Clarification

'De dicto' concerns descriptions; 'de re' concerns objects

Gist of Idea

There are Fregean de dicto propositions, and Russellian de re propositions, or a mixture

Source

Paul Horwich (Truth (2nd edn) [1990], Ch.6.31)

Book Reference

Horwich,Paul: 'Truth (2nd edn)' [OUP 1998], p.91


A Reaction

Once Frege has distinguished sense from reference, this distinction of propositions is likely to follow. The current debate over the internalist and externalist accounts of concepts seems to continue the debate. A mixed strategy sounds good.