Journal of Philosophical Research 27:449-473 (2002)
Authors |
|
Abstract |
This paper addresses the following questions: (a) what did Locke mean when he said that ‘words signify ideas’? and (b) what is Locke’s argument for this thesis, and how successful is it? The paper argues that the two most prominent interpretations, those of Norman Kretzmann and E. J. Ashworth, attribute to Locke an argument for his semantic thesis that is fallacious, and that neither can make good sense of two key passages in book 3 of the Essay concerning Human Understanding. An alternative understanding of signification, drawn from the works of Hobbes and the Port-Royal logicians, is explored and shown to provide both a satisfactory interpretation of these two passages and an understanding of Locke’s argument for the thesis that absolves him of fallacy
|
Keywords | Contemporary Philosophy General Interest |
Categories | (categorize this paper) |
ISBN(s) | 1053-8364 |
DOI | 10.5840/jpr_2002_11 |
Options |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Download options
References found in this work BETA
No references found.
Citations of this work BETA
Similar books and articles
Teaching & Learning Guide For: Locke on Language.Walter Ott - 2009 - Philosophy Compass 4 (5):877-879.
Primary and Secondary Qualities.Robert A. Wilson - 2016 - In Matthew Stuart (ed.), A Companion to Locke. Blackwell. pp. 193-211.
Boyle, Classification and the Workmanship of the Understanding Thesis.Jan-Erik Jones - 2005 - Journal of the History of Philosophy 43 (2):171-183.
Locke on the Freedom of the Will.Vere Chappell - 1994 - In G. A. J. Rogers (ed.), Locke's Philosophy: Content and Context. Oxford University Press. pp. 101--21.
Dividing Locke From God: The Limits of Theology in Locke’s Political Philosophy.John William Tate - 2013 - Philosophy and Social Criticism 39 (2):133-164.
Locke on Meaning and Signification.Michael Losonsky - 1994 - In G. A. J. Rogers (ed.), Locke's Philosophy: Content and Context. Oxford University Press.
Reconciling Locke’s Definition of Knowledge with Knowing Reality.Benjamin Hill - 2006 - Southern Journal of Philosophy 44 (1):91-105.
Analytics
Added to PP index
2011-12-02
Total views
67 ( #171,351 of 2,507,897 )
Recent downloads (6 months)
1 ( #416,715 of 2,507,897 )
2011-12-02
Total views
67 ( #171,351 of 2,507,897 )
Recent downloads (6 months)
1 ( #416,715 of 2,507,897 )
How can I increase my downloads?
Downloads