Single Idea 4955

[catalogued under 2. Reason / D. Definition / 2. Aims of Definition]

Full Idea

Some things called definitions really intend to fix a reference rather than to give the meaning of a phrase, to give a synonym.

Gist of Idea

Some definitions aim to fix a reference rather than give a meaning

Source

Saul A. Kripke (Naming and Necessity lectures [1970], Lecture 1)

Book Reference

Kripke,Saul: 'Naming and Necessity' [Blackwell 1980], p.60


A Reaction

His example is pi. Some definitions relate to reality (e.g. ostensive definition), and others are part of a language game. But then some concepts are dictated to us by reality, and others are arbitrarily invented by us for convenience.