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here, at the very theshold of the subject, w stumble over the most actively disputed of all questions among logicians of the present day.
I cannot stop to tell you about this dispute.
I can only tell you my own solution of the problem.
Suppose that while we are sitting in a room together, some third perspn standing at the window suddenly exclaims "Snowing!"
What does he mean?
We know that snowing is the description of a certain state of things.
If we find the word in the dictionary, it asserts nothing.
It is neither true nor false.
It is merely a description which might be applied but, as long as the word stands by itself, is not applied.
But when we see that man standing at the window and looking out and when we note his accent of surprise, we feel sure that he means that that description is applicable to the real and present