Russells On Denoting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Russells On Denoting - Essay ExampleRussell (1905) claimed that Meinongs theory had difficulties as it regard denoting formulates as standing for constituents of the propositions in whose verbal expression they occur This theory regards any grammatically correct denoting phrase as standing for an object (p 482). And the main trouble of this theory was that it was apt to infringe the law of contradiction (p 483). Russells critiqued on Meinongs theory raised three important points first, on the concept of subsistence. Russell keep that if we presupposed that It is false that A differs from B, then the difference between A and B does not subsist. However, in Meinongs theory since a denoting phrase was standing for an object, then, the denoting phrase the difference between A and B must stand for an object. Therefore, the difference between A and B must subsist. In this case, the self-contradiction was make apparent. As it was affirmed that the difference between A and B must subsist (Meinongs theory), so too the preposition the difference between A and B does not subsist is affirmed on the statement It is false that A differs from B. (Sutler 1967). The second counter-argument rests on the concept of existence. Take the example The King of France is bald. Again, victimisation Meinongs theory, as grammatically correct denoting phrase stand for an object then the statement must be true. But it is a known fact, within the frame of a particular time the preposition the King of France is bald. does not stand or signify for any object.