Naslov
Referential descriptions: a case against Russell

Autori
Dožudić, Dušan

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Perspectives on Russell: Book of Abstracts / N.N. - Zagreb : Hrvatski studiji Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, 2008, 18-19

Skup
Perspectives on Russell

Mjesto i datum
Zagreb, Hrvatska, 24.11.2008. - 26.11.2008

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Nije recenziran

Ključne riječi
attributive use; convention (argument from); definite descriptions; Donnellan's distinction; reference; referential use

Sažetak
In “ On Denoting” and subsequent writings, Russell proposed a uniform treatment of singular denoting phrases, i.e. definite descriptions, as quantified constructions. In the light of Russell– Strawson dispute over the proper treatment of descriptions, Donnellan argued that definite descriptions are ambiguous as between attributive (Russell’ s) and referential use. Although such distinction is generally accepted, ever since Donnellan introduced it in 1966, its precise nature is controversial. There are two main opposite approaches: Russellians (e.g. Neale, and Bach) maintain that Russell’ s analysis was basically correct and complete as semantic analysis, and that aforementioned ambiguity is relevant only pragmatically (thus not affecting or discrediting Russell’ s analysis). On the other hand, Referentialists (such as Wettstein and Devitt) maintain that the ambiguity suggested by Donnellan is a semantic one, and, consequently, that the analysis proposed by Russell is inadequate or incomplete. In this paper, I will examine Michael Devitt’ s defence of Referentialist position based on his Argument from Convention, particularly with regard to the recent exchange between him and Kent Bach.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Filozofija

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