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Single Idea 10459
[filed under theme 19. Language / B. Reference / 5. Speaker's Reference
]
Full Idea
Context does not determine or constitute reference; rather, it is something for the speaker to exploit to enable the listener to determine the intended reference.
Gist of Idea
Context does not create reference; it is just something speakers can exploit
Source
Kent Bach (What Does It Take to Refer? [2006], 22.2 L3)
Book Ref
'Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Language', ed/tr. Lepore,E/Smith,B [OUP 2008], p.544
A Reaction
Bach thinks linguistic reference is a matter of speaker's intentions, and I think he is right. And this idea is right too. The domain of quantification constantly shifts in a conversation, and good speakers and listeners are sensitive to this.
The
21 ideas
from 'What Does It Take to Refer?'
10440
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An object can be described without being referred to
[Bach]
|
10439
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What refers: indefinite or definite or demonstrative descriptions, names, indexicals, demonstratives?
[Bach]
|
10441
|
If we can refer to things which change, we can't be obliged to single out their properties
[Bach]
|
10446
|
Fictional reference is different inside and outside the fiction
[Bach]
|
10447
|
We can refer to fictional entities if they are abstract objects
[Bach]
|
10442
|
We can think of an individual without have a uniquely characterizing description
[Bach]
|
10443
|
You 'allude to', not 'refer to', an individual if you keep their identity vague
[Bach]
|
10444
|
Definite descriptions can be used to refer, but are not semantically referential
[Bach]
|
10445
|
It can't be real reference if it could refer to some other thing that satisfies the description
[Bach]
|
10455
|
Free logic at least allows empty names, but struggles to express non-existence
[Bach]
|
10453
|
In logic constants play the role of proper names
[Bach]
|
10454
|
In first-order we can't just assert existence, and it is very hard to deny something's existence
[Bach]
|
10452
|
Proper names can be non-referential - even predicate as well as attributive uses
[Bach]
|
10456
|
Millian names struggle with existence, empty names, identities and attitude ascription
[Bach]
|
10457
|
Since most expressions can be used non-referentially, none of them are inherently referential
[Bach]
|
10459
|
Context does not create reference; it is just something speakers can exploit
[Bach]
|
10460
|
'That duck' may not refer to the most obvious one in the group
[Bach]
|
10458
|
People slide from contextual variability all the way to contextual determination
[Bach]
|
10461
|
What a pronoun like 'he' refers back to is usually a matter of speaker's intentions
[Bach]
|
10462
|
Information comes from knowing who is speaking, not just from interpretation of the utterance
[Bach]
|
10463
|
Just alluding to or describing an object is not the same as referring to it
[Bach]
|