Single Idea 2457

[catalogued under 19. Language / A. Nature of Meaning / 1. Meaning]

Full Idea

It is the causal connection between the state of the world and the contents of beliefs that the reduction of meaning to information is designed to insure.

Gist of Idea

If meaning is information, that establishes the causal link between the state of the world and our beliefs

Source

Jerry A. Fodor (The Elm and the Expert [1993], §4)

Book Reference

Fodor,Jerry A.: 'The Elm and the Expert' [MIT 1995], p.96


A Reaction

I'm not clear why characterising the contents of a belief in terms of its information has to amount to a 'reduction'. A cup of tea isn't reduced to tea. Connections imply duality.