Referring to the World

An Opinionated Introduction to the Theory of Reference
Erscheinungsjahr 2021
ISBN: 978-0-19-514474-1
Verlag: Oxford University Press

Buch, Englisch, 312 Seiten, Print PDF, Format (B × H): 150 mm x 224 mm, Gewicht: 567 g

Our words and ideas refer to objects and properties in the external world; this phenomenon is central to thought, language, communication, and science. But great works of fiction are full of names that don't seem to refer to anything! In this book Kenneth A. Taylor explores the myriad of problems that surround the phenomenon of reference. How can words in language and perturbations in our brains come to stand for external objects? Reference is essential to truth, but which is more basic: reference or truth? How can fictional characters play such an important role in imagination and literature, and how does this use of language connect with more mundane uses?

Taylor develops a framework for understanding reference, and the theories that other thinkers-past and present-have developed about it. But Taylor doesn't simply tell us what others thought; the book is full of new ideas and analyses, making for a vital final contribution from a seminal philosopher.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Taylor, Kenneth A

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Sprachwissenschaft Sprachwissenschaften Sprachphilosophie
• Mathematik | Informatik Mathematik Mathematik Allgemein Philosophie der Mathematik
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Erkenntnistheorie
• Sozialwissenschaften Psychologie Allgemeine Psychologie Kognitionspsychologie Wahrnehmung
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Philosophie der Mathematik, Philosophie der Physik
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Sprachphilosophie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

- Chapter 1: The Mystery of Reference and Objective Representational Content

- Chapter 2: Inner Fitness and Outer Cause: The Two Factors of Content

- Chapter 3: Against Jazz Combo Theories of Meaning and Reference

- Chapter 4: Puzzles of Coreference: Theme and Variations

- Chapter 5: Concepts, Conceptions in the Psychology of the Referring Mind

- Chapter 6: Representing Representations: The Priority of the De Re

- Chapter 7: The Things We Do With Empty Names

- Works Cited

Über Autor(innen)

Kenneth A. Taylor was Professor of Philosophy at Stanford University from 1995 until his death in 2019.