541. “He only knows what this person is
called – not yet what that person is called”. That is something one cannot,
strictly speaking, say of someone who simply has not yet got the concept of
people’s having names.
to say ‘he knows what this person is called’ –
is to say that in the act of naming this
person –
there is knowledge involved
now if we are just talking about performing
the act of naming –
there is no need to preface this with ‘he
knows’
if he performs the act – he performs the
act –
end of story
the claim of knowledge – as i.e. the claim
of certainty –
is irrelevant –
and if it is taken seriously –
it means he has an authority for the act of naming
the only authority is authorship –
yes – he is the author of his act –
and it is irrelevant to state this
beyond authorship any claim to authority –
makes no sense –
it is unnecessary rhetorical baggage
does the person have the concept of naming –
when he names?
if he doesn’t it is because he has not
applied –
the description ‘naming’
to his action
if he applies this description –
the answer is –
yes
© greg t. charlton. 2010.
