Single Idea 13815

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / F. Referring in Logic / 2. Descriptions / c. Theory of definite descriptions]

Full Idea

In orthodox logic names are not regarded as having scope (for example, in where a negation is placed), whereas on Russell's theory definite descriptions certainly do. Russell had his own way of dealing with this.

Gist of Idea

Names do not have scope problems (e.g. in placing negation), but Russell's account does have that problem

Source

David Bostock (Intermediate Logic [1997], 8.3)

Book Reference

Bostock,David: 'Intermediate Logic' [OUP 1997], p.343


Related Idea

Idea 13816 Because of scope problems, definite descriptions are best treated as quantifiers [Bostock]