HOW DO WE USE DEFINITE DESCRIPTIONS TO EXPRESS SINGULAR PROPOSITIONS? Cover Image

HOW DO WE USE DEFINITE DESCRIPTIONS TO EXPRESS SINGULAR PROPOSITIONS?
HOW DO WE USE DEFINITE DESCRIPTIONS TO EXPRESS SINGULAR PROPOSITIONS?

Author(s): Evgeny Borisov
Subject(s): Philosophy
Published by: Vilniaus Universiteto Leidykla
Keywords: definite description; reference; singular and general propositions; possible world semantics

Summary/Abstract: The paper is devoted to the question: under what conditions do we express a singular proposition (in the Kaplanian sense) when uttering a sentence containing a definite description as the subject term. It is argued that Wettstein’s claim that singularity of a proposition is determined by the demonstration of the referent of definite description accompanying the utterance contains an inconsistency. An alternative criterion of singularity is proposed: we express a singular proposition if the definite description in question is to be evaluated at a single possible world, and we express a general one if the definite description in question is to be evaluated at a range of possible worlds. This criterion is effective in explaining controversial cases in which we manage to express a true singular proposition with a subject constituent that does not fit the definite description used in the utterance.

  • Issue Year: 2014
  • Issue No: 85
  • Page Range: 130-140
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: English
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