The Definition of the Thing: With Some Notes on LanguageA classic volume by a noted philosopher, available again. John William Miller (1895-1978) taught at Williams College, where from 1945 to 1960 he was Mark Hopkins Professor of Intellectual and Moral Philosophy. His extraordinary teaching is described in Masters: Portraits of Great Teachers, edited by Joseph Epstein. While deeply indebted to Plato, Kant, and Hegel, Miller arrived at a strikingly original reinterpretation of the history of philosophy, which, he believed, resolved long-standing epistemological and moral problems generated by that history. In The Definition of the Thing, an unusually provocative and original essay, Miller had works out a number of the basic contentions of his mature philosophy. |
Contents
Preface | 7 |
Definition | 38 |
Sign and Meaning | 60 |
Relations and Independence | 83 |
The Ontological Proof and Negative Facts | 112 |
Logic and Definition | 133 |
Things and Thoughts | 148 |
Supplements | 156 |
Language | 171 |
Language as an Object | 180 |
Symbols | 186 |
Other editions - View all
The Definition of the Thing: With Some Notes on Language John William Miller No preview available - 1980 |
Common terms and phrases
absolute analysis animal Antisthenes arbitrary argument Aristotle assert assumed assumption begs the question C. I. Lewis cause chapter claim clear concept conclusion concrete condition datum defined definition denotation dialectical pair difference distinction egocentric predicament elements error essay event existence experience expression F. C. S. Schiller F. H. Bradley false finite formal function grammar Hegel Hence hypothesis implies independent infinite involves irrelevant jects Kant knowledge language latter laws of logic mathematics meaning meaningless metaphysics method mind nature never object occurs ontological proof Parmenides particular peculiar philosophy possible postulates pragmatic predicates problem properties proposition psychological reality refer regarded regressus rela relations result Russell scientific sea serpent sense sign and designate simple entities situation sort Spaulding special facts specific statement status suppose symbolic equivalence theory theory of descriptions thing thought tion true truth universal universal properties validity word