Description
Philosophy of Language and Webs of Information
Routledge Studies in Contemporary Philosophy Series
Author: Geirsson Heimir
Language: EnglishSubjects for Philosophy of Language and Webs of Information:
Keywords
belief; Frege; Geirson; language; metaphysics; names; objects; philosophy; propositions; reference; sentences; structure; Singular Propositions; Direct Reference Theorists; Belief Reports; Clark Kent; Coreferential Names; Fregean Proposition; Incomplete Proposition; Salmon’s Account; Unarticulated Constituents; Frege’s Puzzle; Iowa State University; Nonreferring Names; Ziggy Stardust; Frege’s View; Mark Twain; Error Theorist; Hidden Indexical; Object Dependent Propositions; Van Inwagen; Amazing Powers; Sincerely Assent; Donnellan’s Argument; Peano Axioms; Priori Justification; Description Theory
Publication date: 02-2013
Support: Print on demand
Publication date: 05-2017
· 15.2x22.9 cm · Paperback
Description
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The nature of propositions and the cognitive value of names have been the focal point of philosophy of language for the last few decades. The advocates of the causal reference theory have favored the view that the semantic contents of proper names are their referents. However, Frege?s puzzle about the different cognitive value of coreferential names has made this identification seem impossible. Geirsson provides a detailed overview of the debate to date, and then develops a novel account that explains our reluctance, even when we know about the relevant identity, to substitute coreferential names in both simple sentences and belief contexts while nevertheless accepting the view that the semantic content of names is their referents. The account focuses on subjects organizing information in webs; a name can then access and elicit information from a given web. Geirsson proceeds to extend the account of information to non-referring names, but they have long provided a serious challenge to the causal reference theorist.
1. Introduction and Overview 2. Reference 3. Propositions: Structure and Objects 4. Reporting Attitudes 5. Singular Propositions and Acquaintance 6. Beliefs and Belief Reports 7. Empty Names 8. Attitude Contexts: Beliefs and Justification Notes Index
Heimir Geirsson is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Iowa State University, USA.