Oxford University Press (2012)
Authors |
|
Abstract |
This book critically examines some widespread views about the semantic phenomenon of reference and the cognitive phenomenon of singular thought. It begins with a defense of the view that neither is tied to a special relation of causal or epistemic acquaintance. It then challenges the alleged semantic rift between definite and indefinite descriptions on the one hand, and names and demonstratives on the other—a division that has been motivated in part by appeals to considerations of acquaintance.
Drawing on recent work in semantics, the book explores a more unified account of all four types of expression, according to which none of them paradigmatically fits the profile of a referential term. On the proposed framework, all four involve existential quantification but admit of uses that exhibit many of the traits associated with reference—a phenomenon that is due to the presence of what we call a ‘singular restriction’ on the existentially quantified domain. The book concludes by drawing out some implications of the proposed semantic picture for the traditional categories of reference and singular thought.
|
Keywords | Reference Acquaintance Quantifier restriction Singular Thought Referential term Names Indefinite descriptions Definite descriptions De re belief Singular content |
Categories | (categorize this paper) |
Reprint years | 2014 |
Buy this book | $64.46 used (23% off) $84.00 from Amazon Amazon page |
Call number | B105.R25.H39 2012 |
ISBN(s) | 9780199693672 9780198703044 019870304X 0199693676 |
Options |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Download options
References found in this work BETA
No references found.
Citations of this work BETA
The Unity of Perception: Content, Consciousness, Evidence.Susanna Schellenberg - 2018 - Oxford: Oxford University Press.
New Thinking About Propositions.Jeffrey C. King, Scott Soames & Jeff Speaks - 2014 - New York, NY, USA: Oxford University Press.
View all 171 citations / Add more citations
Similar books and articles
Thought, Reference, and Experience: Themes From the Philosophy of Gareth Evans. [REVIEW]Anne Newstead - 2006 - Australasian Journal of Philosophy 84 (1):5.
Reference Borrowing and the Role of Descriptions.Dunja Jutronić - 2008 - Croatian Journal of Philosophy 8 (3):349-360.
Direct Reference in Thought and Speech.Kirk A. Ludwig - 1993 - Communication and Cognition: An Interdisciplinary Quarterly Journal 26 (1):49-76.
Concepts and Reference: Defending a Dual Theory of Natural Kind Concepts.Jussi Jylkkä - 2008 - Dissertation, University of Turku
Theories of Reference and Experimental Philosophy.James Genone - 2012 - Philosophy Compass 7 (2):152-163.
The Fallacies of the New Theory of Reference.Jaakko Hintikka & Gabriel Sandu - 1995 - Synthese 104 (2):245 - 283.
Analytics
Added to PP index
2012-05-28
Total views
259 ( #41,294 of 2,498,540 )
Recent downloads (6 months)
11 ( #67,692 of 2,498,540 )
2012-05-28
Total views
259 ( #41,294 of 2,498,540 )
Recent downloads (6 months)
11 ( #67,692 of 2,498,540 )
How can I increase my downloads?
Downloads