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Concept

Definite description

Overview

denoting phrase in the form of "the X" where X is a noun-phrase or a singular common noun. The definite description is proper if X applies to a unique individual or object

Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).

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  1. This is a matter which is concerned exclusively with definite descriptions. I shall therefore, in the sequel, speak simply of 'descriptions' when I mean 'definite descriptions'. Thus a description will mean any phrase of the form 'the so-and-so' in the singular.

    Bertrand Russell, The Problems of Philosophy

    Names Definite description several times; states what Definite description is.

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  2. We may now define the denotation of a phrase. If we know that the proposition "_a_ is the so-and-so" is true, i.e.

    Bertrand Russell, Mysticism and Logic and Other Essays

    The author is tied to Definite description in the knowledge graph.

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  3. It may be said to be, at once, both what the logicians call, a singular, and what they call, a common term; and to join, in its signification the seemingly opposite qualities of the most precise individuality and the most extensive generalization. This word, therefore, expressing so very abstract and metaphysical an idea, would not easily or readily occur to the first formers of language. What are called the…

    Adam Smith, The Essays of Adam Smith

    States what Definite description is.

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Philosophers who discussed Definite description

Related ideas

Opposing perspectives

Place in the tradition

Part of Analytic philosophy.

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