Coalescent theories and divergent paraphrases: definites, non-extensional contexts, and familiarity

Synthese 199 (1-2):4841-4862 (2021)
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Abstract

A recent challenge to Russell’s theory of definite description centers upon the divergent behavior of definites and their Russellian paraphrases in non-extensional contexts. Russellians can meet this challenge, I argue, by incorporating the familiarity theory of definiteness into Russell’s theory. The synthesis of these two seemingly incompatible theories produces a conceptually consistent and empirically powerful framework. As I show, the coalescence of Russellianism and the familiarity theory of definiteness stands as a legitimate alternative to both Traditional Russellianism and alternative semantic frameworks.

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Francesco Pupa
Nassau Community College

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References found in this work

Speech Acts: An Essay in the Philosophy of Language.John Rogers Searle - 1969 - Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.
On Denoting.Bertrand Russell - 1905 - Mind 14 (56):479-493.
The Problems of Philosophy.Bertrand Russell - 1912 - Portland, OR: Home University Library.
Scorekeeping in a language game.David Lewis - 1979 - Journal of Philosophical Logic 8 (1):339--359.
Reference and definite descriptions.Keith S. Donnellan - 1966 - Philosophical Review 75 (3):281-304.

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