Single Idea 12663

[catalogued under 19. Language / B. Reference / 1. Reference theories]

Full Idea

I assume that there are two kinds of reference: reference to individuals and to properties. This means, from the syntactic point of view, that the vehicles of reference are exhaustively singular terms and predicates.

Gist of Idea

We refer to individuals and to properties, and we use singular terms and predicates

Source

Jerry A. Fodor (LOT 2 [2008], Ch.7)

Book Reference

Fodor,Jerry A.: 'LOT 2: the Language of Thought Revisited' [OUP 2008], p.199


A Reaction

The immediate possibility that comes to mind is plural quantification. See George Boolos, who confidently says that he can refer to 'some Cheerios' in his breakfast bowl, and communicate very well. He then looks to formalise such talk.