Denotation

Denotation is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as „the main meaning of a word, not including the feelings or ideas that people may connect with the word“ („Denotation“).

A denotation is a literal framing of a term or sign. Denotations have no subjective, symbolic, or otherwise non-literal meaning, and is using words exactly how they are meant to be understood („Denotation examples“).

Denotation examples in philosophy:

When we look at the quote by Immanuel Kant:

“All our knowledge begins with the senses, proceeds then to the understanding, and ends with reason. There is nothing higher than reason.”, all of the words in this quote are denotative. We can tell through the tone of the writing that there isn’t any implied meaning beyond the dictionary definition of the words 

Sources:

„Denotation“ - Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/denotation 

Heckmann, C. (2023). Precise language - denotation explained for writers. Retrieved from https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-denotation-definition/ 

Jana Bournikova