The Qua-Problem and Meaning Scepticism

Linguistic and Philosophical Investigations 17:71–78 (2018)
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Abstract

When considering potential solutions to meaning-scepticism, Kripke (1982) did not consider a causal-theoretic approach. Kusch (2006) has argued that this is due to the qua-problem. I consider Kusch’s criticism of Maddy (1984) and McGinn (1984) before offering a different way to solve the qua-problem, one that is not susceptible to sceptical attack. If this solution is successful, at least one barrier to using a causal theory to refute Kripke’s scepticism is removed.

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Author's Profile

Samuel Douglas
University of Newcastle, Australia

References found in this work

Wittgenstein on rules and private language.Saul A. Kripke - 1982 - Revue Philosophique de la France Et de l'Etranger 173 (4):496-499.
The Causal Theory of Names.Gareth Evans - 1973 - Aristotelian Society Supplementary Volume 47 (1):187–208.
Realism and Truth.Michael Devitt - 2000 - Noûs 34 (4):657-663.
Designation.M. Devitt - 1983 - Mind 92 (368):622-624.

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