On meaning as use and the inscrutability of reference

David Checkland

pp. 71-85

in: Aspectos de la Filosofía de L. Wittgenstein, Daimon Revista Internacional de Filosofia 2, 1990.

Abstract

In this paper I argue that there are two strands at work in Wittgenstein´s rejection of the idea of the "Logically proper name" and its associated doctrine, ostensive definition. The first strand is a certain holism presupposed by both intentions to mean (Meinen) and meaning (Bedeutung). The second strand is the idea that the way a word or sentence is used- its point or role in the lives of its users- is internal to meaning, and not some additional or optional feature. These strands are parallelled in Davidson´s doctrine of the inscrutability of reference by the idea that reference is a theoretical posit needed to apply a holistic theory of meaning, and that assignments of reference are also determined holistically, as is the role of casuality.

Cited authors

Wittgenstein Ludwig