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Single Idea 7310

[filed under theme 5. Theory of Logic / F. Referring in Logic / 2. Descriptions / c. Theory of definite descriptions ]

Full Idea

Russell attempted to avoid Meinong's strategy (of saying 'The present King of France' refers to a 'non-existent object') by denying that definite descriptions are proper names.

Gist of Idea

Russell avoids non-existent objects by denying that definite descriptions are proper names

Source

report of Bertrand Russell (On Denoting [1905]) by Alexander Miller - Philosophy of Language 2.7

Book Ref

Miller,Alexander: 'Philosophy of Language' [UCL Press 1998], p.60

A Reaction

Russell claimed that there was a covert existence claim built into a definite description. What about descriptions in known counterfactual situations ('Queen of the Fairies')?

The 25 ideas with the same theme [rewriting of descriptive terms to show underlying logic]:

7310 Russell avoids non-existent objects by denying that definite descriptions are proper names [Russell, by Miller,A]
12006 Denying definite description sentences are subject-predicate in form blocks two big problems [Russell, by Forbes,G]
4569 Russell says apparent referring expressions are really assertions about properties [Russell, by Cooper,DE]
11009 Russell's theory must be wrong if it says all statements about non-existents are false [Read on Russell]
21549 The theory of descriptions lacks conventions for the scope of quantifiers [Lackey on Russell]
12796 Non-count descriptions don't threaten Russell's theory, which is only about singulars [Laycock on Russell]
7532 Denoting is crucial in Russell's account of mathematics, for identifying classes [Russell, by Monk]
11988 Russell's analysis means molecular sentences are ambiguous over the scope of the description [Kaplan on Russell]
1608 The theory of descriptions eliminates the name of the entity whose existence was presupposed [Russell, by Quine]
7754 Russell's theory explains non-existents, negative existentials, identity problems, and substitutivity [Russell, by Lycan]
21529 Russell showed how to define 'the', and thereby reduce the ontology of logic [Russell, by Lackey]
6333 The theory of definite descriptions reduces the definite article 'the' to the concepts of predicate logic [Russell, by Horwich]
6412 Russell implies that 'the baby is crying' is only true if the baby is unique [Grayling on Russell]
7743 Russell explained descriptions with quantifiers, where Frege treated them as names [Russell, by McCullogh]
1611 Names can be converted to descriptions, and Russell showed how to eliminate those [Quine]
6413 'The present King of France is bald' presupposes existence, rather than stating it [Strawson,P, by Grayling]
8354 Russell asks when 'The King of France is wise' would be a true assertion [Strawson,P]
4568 If 'Queen of England' does not refer if there is no queen, its meaning can't refer if there is one [Cooper,DE]
11989 For Russell, expressions dependent on contingent circumstances must be eliminated [Kaplan]
13815 Names do not have scope problems (e.g. in placing negation), but Russell's account does have that problem [Bostock]
15157 Recognising the definite description 'the man' as a quantifier phrase, not a singular term, is a real insight [Soames]
4098 The theory of descriptions supports internalism, since they are thinkable when the object is non-existent [Crane]
7697 On Russell's analysis, the sentence "The winged horse has wings" comes out as false [Jacquette]
21727 Definite descriptions theory eliminates the King of France, but not the Queen of England [Linsky,B]
18947 Definites descriptions don't solve the empty names problem, because the properties may not exist [Sawyer]