Single Idea 7748

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / F. Referring in Logic / 1. Naming / b. Names as descriptive]

Full Idea

Aristotle being identical with an object that was originally christened will not suffice, for the force of "Aristotle" is greater than the force of 'identical with an object named "Aristotle"', for not just any object named "Aristotle" will do.

Gist of Idea

'Aristotle' means more than just 'an object that was christened "Aristotle"'

Source

John Searle (Proper Names [1958], p.93)

Book Reference

'Philosophical Logic', ed/tr. Strawson,P.F. [OUP 1973], p.93


A Reaction

This anticipates Kripke's proposal to base reference on baptism. I remain unsure about how rigid a designation of Aristotle could be, in a possible world where his father died young, and he became an illiterate soldier who hates philosophy.