Abstract

In the last year or two, the “causal theory” of proper names, first suggested by Saul Kripke in 1967, has received a lot of attention. This paper has two aims. First, to show that the causal theory offers the most plausible solution to a problem posed by the well-known fact that proper names typically have more than one bearer. Second, to consider the implications of this discussion, and of the causal theory, for semantics as a whole.