What is Strawson view on description?

Strawson argues that we cannot talk of S as being true or false. We can only talk of the use of S to make a true or false assertion. In the same vein, we cannot talk of S as being about a particular person but only of a use of S to talk about a particular person.

What does Strawson attempt to achieve in Article?

Strawson makes an attempt to show that the concept of person is primitive or simple in the sense that it cannot be further analysed. The whole argument is based on a group of central P-predicates which are other-ascribable and self ascribable.

What is Russell’s theory of descriptions?

Russell’s Theory of Descriptions The key idea of Russell’s proposal is that a sentence like (2) containing an indefinite description, is understood to have the logical form in (2′), (2) An F is G. (2′) ∃x(Fx & Gx) and a sentence like (3) containing a definite description is understood to have the logical form in (3′).

What is the root cause of modern world wars according to Russell?

The Root cause of modern world wars is that the leaders who are in support of the war can led to the war. The authorities more than the peace wants war. He also thinks that the agressive policies of the nations are one of the root causes of the wars.

How does Russell define knowledge?

Russell’s definition of knowledge by description builds naturally on this: To know some thing or object by a definite description is to know that it is the so-and-so or that the so-and-so exists, i.e., that there is exactly one object that is so-and-so (Russell 1912: 82–3).

What is the most troubling distinction in philosophy according to Russell?

In The Problems of Philosophy Bertrand Russell referred to the distinction between appearance and reality as “one of the distinctions that cause most trouble in philosophy.” Why it should cause trouble in philosophy, however, when it causes little or no trouble outside of philosophy, Russell did not say.

What is the conclusion of Strawson’s basic argument?

Abstract. Galen Strawson’s Basic Argument is that because self-creation is required to be truly morally responsible and self-creation is impossible, it is impossible to be truly morally responsible for anything. I contend that the Basic Argument is unpersuasive and unsound.

What does it mean when Strawson says that an expression is significant?

An expression/sentence is meaningful if it has a legitimate use in the language for making true/false assertions. But it is the use of a sentence that is either true or false, not the sentence itself. And it is the use of an expression that either does, or does not, refer.

What was Bertrand Russell’s philosophy?

Philosophy of science Russell was a believer in the scientific method, that science reaches only tentative answers, that scientific progress is piecemeal, and attempts to find organic unities were largely futile. He believed the same was true of philosophy.

How does Russell’s definition of knowledge differ from what is commonly understood by the term?

Knowledge is a treasure and Russell was a seeker of it. He craved to know and understood the Pythagorean power by which a number holds sway over the flux. He was a much learned man.