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Definite descriptions and existence attribution

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The hierarchical analysis of existence attribution is Fregean in its endorsement of senses, understood as guises. Furthermore, the hierarchical analysis makes an essential use of the Russellian analysis (9′) as a means to understand what it is for a sense to present a given entity (cf. biconditional (11) above). The hierarchical analysis, on the other hand, is more general than the Russellian one and hence - in accordance with natural language usage - allows for a wider range of applications.

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Orilia, F. Definite descriptions and existence attribution. Topoi 6, 133–138 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00141769

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