A singular term is a paradigmatic referring device in a language. Singular terms are defined as expressions that purport to denote or designate particular individual people, places, or other objects. They contrast with general terms (such as "car" or "chair") which can apply to more than one thing.
Singular terms are of philosophical importance for philosophers of language, because they refer to things in the world, and the ability of words to refer calls for scrutiny.[citation needed]
Overview
There are various kinds of singular terms: proper names (e.g. "Matthew"), definite descriptions (e.g. "the second fisherman in the boat"), singular personal pronouns (e.g. "she"), demonstrative pronouns (e.g. "this"), etc.
Historically, various definitions for "singular term" have been offered:
- A term that tells us which individual is being talked about. (John Stuart Mill, Arthur Prior, P. F. Strawson)
- A term that is grammatically singular, i.e. a proper name (proprium nomen), a demonstrative pronoun (pronomen demonstrativum) or a demonstrative pronoun with a common name (cum termino communi). (William of Ockham)
- A term that is inherently about the object to which it applies or refers. (Gottlob Frege)
- A term that is true "in the same sense" of only one object. (Peter of Spain)
References
- William Lycan, Philosophy of Language, 2nd edition, Routledge, 2008
- Strawson 1950, Prior 1976, Mill 1908
- Ockham, Summa Logicae
- Frege 1892
- Peter of Spain 1947
Works cited
- Frege, G. (1892) "On Sense and Reference", originally published as " Über Sinn und Bedeutung" in Zeitschrift für Philosophie und philosophische Kritik, vol. 100, pp. 25–50. Transl. Geach & Black 56–78.
- Mill, J. S., A System of Logic, London 1908 (8th edition).
- Peter of Spain Summulae Logicales, ed. I. M. Bochenski (Turin, 1947) – also quoted in Prior 1976.
- Prior, A. N. The Doctrine of Propositions & Terms, London 1976.
- Strawson, P. F. "On Referring", Mind 1950 pp. 320–44.
- William of Ockham, Summa logicae, Paris 1448, Bologna 1498, Venice 1508, Oxford 1675.
A singular term is a paradigmatic referring device in a language Singular terms are defined as expressions that purport to denote or designate particular individual people places or other objects They contrast with general terms such as car or chair which can apply to more than one thing Singular terms are of philosophical importance for philosophers of language because they refer to things in the world and the ability of words to refer calls for scrutiny citation needed OverviewThere are various kinds of singular terms proper names e g Matthew definite descriptions e g the second fisherman in the boat singular personal pronouns e g she demonstrative pronouns e g this etc Historically various definitions for singular term have been offered A term that tells us which individual is being talked about John Stuart Mill Arthur Prior P F Strawson A term that is grammatically singular i e a proper name proprium nomen a demonstrative pronoun pronomen demonstrativum or a demonstrative pronoun with a common name cum termino communi William of Ockham A term that is inherently about the object to which it applies or refers Gottlob Frege A term that is true in the same sense of only one object Peter of Spain ReferencesWilliam Lycan Philosophy of Language 2nd edition Routledge 2008 Strawson 1950 Prior 1976 Mill 1908 Ockham Summa Logicae Frege 1892 Peter of Spain 1947Works citedFrege G 1892 On Sense and Reference originally published as Uber Sinn und Bedeutung in Zeitschrift fur Philosophie und philosophische Kritik vol 100 pp 25 50 Transl Geach amp Black 56 78 Mill J S A System of Logic London 1908 8th edition Peter of Spain Summulae Logicales ed I M Bochenski Turin 1947 also quoted in Prior 1976 Prior A N The Doctrine of Propositions amp Terms London 1976 Strawson P F On Referring Mind 1950 pp 320 44 William of Ockham Summa logicae Paris 1448 Bologna 1498 Venice 1508 Oxford 1675
