Note: can not define meaning via "s means that p" because "means that" defines a referentially opaque context; needs non-extensional metalanguage

Note

Can not define meaning via sentences such as 's means that p' since "means that" defines a referentially opaque context where substitutivity is not preserved. For example, "water is wet" is equivalent to "H_2O is wet", but " 'water is wet' means that water is wet" is not equivalent to " 'water is wet' means that H_2O is wet". So if 'means that' were part of the theory then would have to use a non-extensional metalanguage (i.e., without substitutivity).

Related Topics

Topic: semantic truth; s iff p (34 items)