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Full Idea
Russell's theory of definite descriptions reduces the definite article 'the' to the notions of predicate logic - specifically, 'some', 'every', and 'same as'.
Gist of Idea
The theory of definite descriptions reduces the definite article 'the' to the concepts of predicate logic
Source
report of Bertrand Russell (On Denoting [1905]) by Paul Horwich - Truth (2nd edn) Ch.2.7
Book Ref
Horwich,Paul: 'Truth (2nd edn)' [OUP 1998], p.34
A Reaction
This helpfully clarifies Russell's project - to find the logical form of every sentence, expressed in terms which are strictly defined and consistent. This huge project now looks rather too optimistic. Artificial Intelligence would love to complete it.