The problem of identity

Definition

The problem of identity refers to the philosophical and semantic issues surrounding the conditions under which two expressions or names can be said to refer to the same object or individual. This concept is particularly significant in discussions of reference and meaning, as it raises questions about how different terms can designate the same entity while having different implications or senses associated with them.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The problem of identity highlights how different names can refer to the same individual but carry different meanings or implications.
2. An example illustrating this problem is 'the Morning Star' and 'the Evening Star', which both refer to Venus but have different senses due to their distinct contexts.
3. Frege's distinction between sense and reference helps clarify why two expressions can refer to the same object while having different cognitive values for speakers.
4. Understanding the problem of identity is essential for grasping issues related to ambiguity, synonymy, and the dynamics of language in communication.
5. The problem is crucial in semantics because it reveals complexities in how we understand meaning and reference in everyday language.

Review Questions

• How does the problem of identity challenge our understanding of reference in language?
  • The problem of identity challenges our understanding of reference by showing that two different expressions can refer to the same object while conveying different meanings. For instance, 'Clark Kent' and 'Superman' are two names that refer to the same individual but evoke different images and associations. This distinction raises questions about how we interpret language and understand meaning beyond mere reference.
• Discuss how Frege's distinction between sense and reference contributes to resolving the problem of identity.
  • Frege's distinction between sense and reference provides a framework for understanding the problem of identity by separating what an expression refers to (its reference) from what it conveys (its sense). By identifying that 'the Morning Star' and 'the Evening Star' both refer to Venus but have different senses, we can see that understanding a term involves more than just identifying its referent. This distinction clarifies how cognitive differences affect our interpretation of seemingly identical references.
• Evaluate the implications of the problem of identity for theories of meaning in semantics and pragmatics.
  • The implications of the problem of identity for theories of meaning are profound, as it exposes critical issues regarding how meaning is constructed and understood in language. Theories must account for both reference and sense to provide a comprehensive understanding of communication. By recognizing that two expressions can designate the same object but yield different interpretations, these theories must also address ambiguity, context, and speaker intent, ultimately enriching our understanding of how language operates in practice.

Related terms

Reference:

Reference is the relationship between linguistic expressions and the objects or entities they denote in the world.

Sense:

Sense refers to the meaning or concept associated with an expression, which can differ even when the reference is the same.

Intensionality: Intensionality is the property of language where the meaning of terms can vary depending on the context and the way they are understood, rather than simply by their reference.