The Theory of Descriptions: Russell and the Philosophy of Language (History of Analytic Philosophy)

This book combines a historical and philosophical study of Russell's theory of descriptions. It defends, develops, and extends the theory as a contribution to natural language semantics while also arguing for a reassessment of the importance of linguistic inquiry to Russell's philosophical project. Cover......Page 1 Series page......Page 2 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Dedication......Page 6 Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgements......Page 10 Introduction......Page 12 1.1 Denoting phrases......Page 20 1.2 Singular terms......Page 24 1.3 The theory of descriptions......Page 32 1.4 Scope......Page 34 1.5 The reception of the theory of descriptions......Page 48 2.1 Introduction......Page 56 2.2 The standard reading......Page 58 2.3 Russell’s alleged ‘Meinongianism’......Page 60 2.4 The 1903 theory of denoting......Page 63 2.5 Rejecting the Meinongian interpretation (I):empty denoting phrases......Page 66 2.6 Rejecting the Meinongian interpretation (II):empty proper names......Page 68 2.7 Rejecting the Meinongian interpretation (III):denying existence......Page 73 2.8 Conclusion......Page 82 3.1 The theory of descriptions and the theory of types......Page 84 3.2 The Gray’s Elegy Argument......Page 88 4.1 Introduction......Page 104 4.2 Descriptions as quantifiers and the LF hypothesis......Page 107 4.3 Incomplete symbols – the objections......Page 112 4.4 Incomplete symbols – responding to the objections......Page 115 4.5 Incomplete symbols and object independence......Page 122 4.6 Conclusion......Page 126 5.1 Complex demonstratives and the orthodox view......Page 128 5.2 Syntactic data against the orthodox view......Page 131 5.3 Semantic data against the orthodox view......Page 133 5.4 Quantificational analyses......Page 136 5.5 The semantics and pragmatics of ‘that’ and ‘the’......Page 147 6 Extending the Theory II: Indexicality......Page 151 6.1 Russell on egocentric particulars......Page 152 6.2 Contemporary work: Kaplan’s indexical semantics......Page 154 6.3 Problems for the contemporary view......Page 160 6.4 A Russellian response: the inner and the outer spaces of egocentric semantics......Page 164 6.5 The egocentric character of singular thought......Page 170 7 Russell and the Philosophy of Language......Page 179 Notes......Page 190 Bibliography......Page 201 Index......Page 208 Introduction -- 1. The Theory: -- 1.1. Denoting Phrases -- 1.2. Singular Terms -- 1.3. The Theory Of Descriptions -- 1.4. Scope -- 1.5. The Reception Of The Theory Of Descriptions -- 2. History I: The 1903 Theory Of Denoting: -- 2.1. Introduction -- 2.2. The Standard Reading -- 2.3. Russell's Alleged 'meinongianism' -- 2.4. The 1903 Theory Of Denoting -- 2.5. Rejecting The Meinongian Interpretation (i): Empty Denoting Phrases -- 2.6. Rejecting The Meinongian Interpretation (ii): Empty Proper Names -- 2.7. Rejecting The Meinongian Interpretation (iii): Denying Existence -- 2.8. Conclusion -- 3. History Ii: 'on Denoting' And The Genesis Of The Theory Of Descriptions -- 3.1. The Theory Of Descriptions And The Theory Of Types -- 3.2. The Gray's Elegy Argument -- 4. Descriptions And Logical Form: -- 4.1. Introduction -- 4.2. Descriptions As Quantifiers And The Lf Hypothesis -- 4.3. Incomplete Symbols- The Objections -- 4.4. Incomplete Symbols- Responding To The Objections -- 4.5. Incomplete Symbols And Object Independence -- 4.6. Conclusion -- 5. Extending The Theory I: Complex Demonstratives -- 5.1. Complex Demonstratives And The Orthodox View -- 5.2. Syntactic Data Against The Orthodox View -- 5.3. Semantic Data Against The Orthodox View -- 5.4. Quantificational Analysis -- 5.5. The Semantics And Pragmatics Of 'that' And 'the' -- 6. Extending The Theory Ii: Indexicality -- 6.1. Russell On Egocentric Particulars -- 6.2. Contemporary Work: Kaplan's Indexical Semantics -- 6.3. Problems For The Contemporary View -- 6.4. A Russellian Response: The Inner And The Outer Spaces Of Egocentric Semantics -- 6.5. The Egocentric Character Of Singular Thought -- 7. Russell And The Philosophy Of Language. Graham Stevens. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 190-196) And Index. Russell's theory of descriptions is one of the most influential contributions made to modern analytical philosophy. It continues to be the subject of contemporary debates in the philosophy of language, and a subject of great historical interest. However, the historical and philosophical treatments of the theory have largely been kept in isolation from one another. The main reason for this has been the universal adoption by historians of an interpretation of Russell as one for whom language was philosophically irrelevant. This book seeks to overturn that interpretation and to present in its place an interpretation of Russell as one for whom the philosophy of language was a central concern. The book defends and extends the theory as a contribution to natural language semantics, while carefully retaining a sensitivity to the historical details of Russell's work, to defend an interpretation of Russell as a pioneering philosopher of language NL-ZmNBD Russell's thoery of descriptions is one of the most influential contributions made to modern analytical philosophy. It continues to be the subject of contemporary debates in the philosophy of language, and a subject of great historical interest. However, the historical and philosophical treatments of the theory have largely been kept in isolation from one another. The main reason for this has been the universal adoption by historians of an intepretation of Russell as one for whom language was philosophically irrelevant. This book seeks to overturn that interpretation and to present in its place an interpretation of Russell as one for whom the philosophy of language was a central concern. The book defends semantics, while carefully retaining a sensitivity to the historical details of Russell's work, to defend an interpretation of Russell as a pioneering philosopher of language. Book jacket The book combines a historical and philosophical study of Russell's theory of descriptions. It defends, develops and extends the theory as a contribution to natural language semantics while also arguing for a reassessment of the important of linguistic inquiry to Russell's philosophical project.