Thought and Reference

by Bach, Kent

• ISBN13: 9780198249832
• ISBN10: 0198249837
• Additional ISBN(s): 9780191680267
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1988-04-14
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

This book takes an original approach to the perennial problems of reference and singular terms by separating the underlying issues into different levels of analysis. This split-level approach includes a novel account of singular thought, a systematic application of recent work in the theoryof speech acts, and a partial revival of Russell's analysis of singular terms. Criticisms of competing views are provided as well.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Paperback Edition	p. v
Acknowledgements	p. vi
Introduction Meaning and Reference	p. 1
Singular Thought	p. 9
The Nature of De Re Thought	p. 11
Varieties of De Re Thought	p. 27
Singular Reference	p. 47
Varieties of Reference	p. 49
Semantics, Pragmatics, and Reference	p. 69
Singular Terms	p. 89
Definite Descriptions I: Vindicating Russell	p. 91
Definite Descriptions Ii: The Referential/Attributive Distinction	p. 109
Proper Names I: The Nominal Description Theory	p. 130
Proper Names Ii: Answering Kripke	p. 149
Reference and Pronouns	p. 175
Singular Terms in Belief and in Fictional Contexts	p. 195
Other Kinds of Reference	p. 219
Anaphoric Reference: Grammatical or Pragmatic?	p. 221
Quantifier Phrases and Pronouns: Plural Reference and Anaphora	p. 238
Reference and Natural Kinds	p. 262
Bibliography	p. 293
Glossary	p. 298
Postscript to the Paperback Edition	p. 302
References	p. 317
Index	p. 321
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