Single Idea 9372

[catalogued under 19. Language / A. Nature of Meaning / 8. Synonymy]

Full Idea

Could there be a fact of the matter about what each expression means, but no fact of the matter about whether they mean the same?

Gist of Idea

Could expressions have meaning, without two expressions possibly meaning the same?

Source

Paul Boghossian (Analyticity Reconsidered [1996], §II)

Book Reference

-: 'Nous' [-], p.8


A Reaction

He is discussing Quine's attack on synonymy, and his scepticism about meaning. Boghossian and I believe in propositions, so we have no trouble with two statements having the same meaning. Denial of propositions breeds trouble.