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    Proper names, unlike common nouns, do not convey any desc... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→Proper names must have a sense, not merely a referent.

    Proper names, unlike common nouns, do not convey any descriptive content that would be false if the bearer lacked the associated properties.

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    1 reason for
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    Reasons For

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    Reason for
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    • 1.Names like 'Aristotle' refer rigidly to individuals across possible worlds regardless of their properties or descriptions.
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    • 2.We can coherently imagine 'Aristotle' existing without being a philosopher, yet we'd still refer to the same person.
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    • 3.Common nouns like 'teacher' logically require bearer possession of teaching properties; names do not require any properties.
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    Reasons Against

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    • 1.Names acquire meaning through historical-causal chains involving descriptions; we identify bearers only via associated properties.
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    • 2.Proper names in sentences like 'Socrates was wise' presuppose existence and some minimal identifying descriptions to refer.
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    • 3.Names function pragmatically as disguised definite descriptions that would fail reference if bearers lacked identifying properties.
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    Common nouns like 'teacher' logically require bearer possession of teaching prop...Names acquire meaning through historical-causal chains involving descriptions; w...Names function pragmatically as disguised definite descriptions that would fail ...Names like 'Aristotle' refer rigidly to individuals across possible worlds regar...
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    Proper names in sentences like 'Socrates was wise' presuppose existence and some...Proper names must have a sense, not merely a referent.We can coherently imagine 'Aristotle' existing without being a philosopher, yet ...

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    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
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