Russell and Kaplan on Denoting

Abstract

DAVID KAPLAN HAS ARGUED THAT RUSSELL'S THEORY OFDESCRIPTIONS IN EFFECT EXPLAINS AWAY THE VERY IDEA OFDEMOTING. IN THIS PAPER I TRY TO SHINE SOME LIGHT ON THEPUZZLE KAPLAN HAS UNCOVERED, AND IN THE PROCESS SHOW THAT1) RUSSELL DID NOT HIMSELF FULLY REALIZE EXACTLY WHAT HISTHEORY ACCOMPLISHED, AND 2) IN EFFECT, RUSSELL'S THEORY IS,SURPRISINGLY, A KIND OF DEFINITIONAL VARIANT OF FREGE'S.