Skip to content
Carmelics
TopicsThinkersChangesContributorsLoading account…

    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

    Navigate

    • Topics
    • Search
    • Recent Changes
    • Contribute
    • How It Works
    • Glossary
    • Thinkers
    • Contributors
    • About
    • Statistics
    • Terms
    • Privacy

    Database

    Statements
    —
    Perspectives
    —
    Topics
    —

    Press ? for keyboard shortcuts

    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    If two speakers associate different common notions with '... — Carmelics
    Home
    HistoryEditSee Inverse

    Part of a larger discussion

    Challenges→Proper names carry two kinds of sense: a particular sense and an associated descriptive sense.

    If two speakers associate different common notions with 'Virgil'—one 'poet', another 'farmer'—the claim that both notions constitute genuine semantic sense leads to referential instability the theory cannot resolve.

    ?Rate how convincing each reason is below to see the overall strength.
    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Reference requires stable content; divergent associated notions undermine the shared semantic content necessary for successful reference.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.If 'Virgil' picks out different conceptual clusters for different speakers, they lack a common sense, making communication about Virgil unstable.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Theories that allow multiple genuine senses per term must explain how speakers coordinate reference despite semantic divergence—a burden they don't meet.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Reference can succeed via external causal chains to objects independent of internal senses; divergent senses don't prevent speakers from fixing the same referent.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Everyday communication succeeds despite speakers associating different descriptive content with terms; this shows stability doesn't require uniform individual senses.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.The argument equivocates between 'sense' (cognitive content) and 'reference'; multiple senses are compatible with unified reference and successful communication.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Sign in or register to share your perspective on this statement.

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.

    Key Terms

    Common notions(Le Grand's epistemology)
    Universal concepts such as substance, truth, goodness, equity, and God, as well as logical axioms, which are innate because they are universal and cannot derive from particular corporeal motions.
    Genuine
    Something is genuine when it is real, authentic, and exactly what it claims to be—not fake, counterfeit, or pretending to be something else. For example, genuine leather is actual leather rather than synthetic material, or a genuine apology comes from sincere feeling rather than obligation. The word describes anything that is honestly and truly itself without deception or imitation.
    referential(in philosophy of language)
    Relating to how words or names point to and stand for actual things in the world.
    referential instability(in theories about how language refers to reality)
    A situation where a word or name doesn't reliably point to one clear thing, making it unclear or unstable what we're actually talking about.
    semantic sense(in philosophy of language and meaning)
    The meaning or idea that a word carries in someone's mind—what the word makes you think of or understand.

    Connections

    1 topic

    Philosophy of Language1 linked

    Related

    Everyday communication succeeds despite speakers associating different descripti...If 'Virgil' picks out different conceptual clusters for different speakers, they...Proper names carry two kinds of sense: a particular sense and an associated desc...Reference can succeed via external causal chains to objects independent of inter...
    +3 moreShow less
    Reference requires stable content; divergent associated notions undermine the sh...The argument equivocates between 'sense' (cognitive content) and 'reference'; mu...

    Details

    Type
    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
    Edits
    1 edit
    Theories that allow multiple genuine senses per term must explain how speakers c...