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Single Idea 14209

[from 'Putnam's Paradox' by David Lewis, in 19. Language / B. Reference / 4. Descriptive Reference / b. Reference by description ]

Full Idea

Description theories of reference are supposed to have been well and truly refuted. I think not: ..it is still tenable with my seven points, and part of the truth of reference [7: rigidity, egocentric, tokens, causal, imperfect, indeterminate, families].

Gist of Idea

Descriptive theories remain part of the theory of reference (with seven mild modifications)

Source

David Lewis (Putnam's Paradox [1984], 'Glob Desc')

Book Reference

Lewis,David: 'Papers in Metaphysics and Epistemology' [CUP 1999], p.60


A Reaction

(The bit at the end refers to his seven points, on p.59). He calls his basic proposal 'causal descriptivism', incorporating his seven slight modifications of traditional descriptivism about reference.