On the Meaning of Expressions (1931)

Abstract

The words ‘means’ and ‘meaning’ are used in discussion of the role of the elements of language and are also used in entirely different contexts, not concerned with language or its elements. Such is the case, for example, with the sentence: ‘Life ceased to have any meaning’. In this, so to say, extralinguistic context the word ‘meaning’ could be replaced by ‘purpose’ without altering the sense of the sentence. In other similar contexts ‘meaning’ is synonymous with ‘importance’ or ‘value’.

Translated by Jerzy Giedymin First published in Księga Pamiątkowa Polskiego Towarzystwa Filozoficznego we Lwowie, 12,2.1904–12,1.1929, Lwów 1931. 31–77. Translation bated on the text reprinted in Język i Poznanie, Warszawa 1960. PWN. I, 102–136. Reprinted here by kind permission of PWN.