Divorced Quote by Willard Van Orman Quine
“Meaning is what essence becomes when it is divorced from the object of reference and wedded to the word.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Word and Object, Willard V. Quine, 1960
Meaning arises when the essence of something is detached from its actual referent and attached to linguistic representation.
In simple terms: Essence linked to words, not objects.
Recognize how language shapes perception.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- academic writing
- critical analysis
- philosophical debate
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language influence what we consider real?
- Can we ever fully separate meaning from its referent?
Language can mislead if detached from reality.