Single Idea 2436

[catalogued under 19. Language / B. Reference / 4. Descriptive Reference / a. Sense and reference]

Full Idea

The standard view is that Frege cases [knowing Jocasta but not mother] show that reference doesn't determine sense, and Twin cases [knowing water but not H2O] show that sense doesn't determine reference.

Gist of Idea

It is claimed that reference doesn't fix sense (Jocasta), and sense doesn't fix reference (Twin Earth)

Source

Jerry A. Fodor (The Elm and the Expert [1993], §1.3)

Book Reference

Fodor,Jerry A.: 'The Elm and the Expert' [MIT 1995], p.24


A Reaction

How about 'references don't contain much information', and 'descriptions may not fix what they are referring to'? Simple really.