3.3 Proper names and definite descriptions
2 min read•july 19, 2024
Names and descriptions are crucial tools for referring to people and things. Names directly point to specific individuals, while descriptions use unique features to identify them. This distinction impacts how we understand and use language in everyday communication.
The debate over how names and descriptions work gets philosophical. Some say names are just labels, while others argue they carry deeper meaning. These ideas shape our understanding of language and reference in interesting ways.
Proper Names and Definite Descriptions
Proper names vs definite descriptions
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- identify specific individuals, places, or things (John, London, Mount Everest)
- use the definite article "the" followed by a noun phrase to uniquely identify an individual, place, or thing (the tallest mountain in the world, the current President of the United States)
Semantics of names and descriptions
- Proper names are that refer to the same individual in all possible worlds
- Lack
- Directly refer to their referents without the mediation of a sense or meaning
- Definite descriptions are that may refer to different individuals in different possible worlds
- Possess descriptive content
- Refer to their referents via the satisfaction of the descriptive content (the tallest mountain refers to Mount Everest because it satisfies the description)
Reference in names and descriptions
- Proper names reference via:
- - proper names directly refer to their referents without the mediation of a sense or meaning
- - the reference of a proper name is determined by a causal chain of communication originating with an initial baptism event (a baby named "John" at birth)
- Definite descriptions reference via:
- - definite descriptions are quantified expressions that assert the existence and uniqueness of an individual satisfying the descriptive content
- - definite descriptions have both a sense (descriptive content) and a reference (the individual satisfying the descriptive content)
Philosophical debates on name meaning
- holds that proper names have no meaning beyond their referents (the meaning of "Aristotle" is exhausted by the individual Aristotle)
- argues proper names have a sense (mode of presentation) in addition to their referents (the sense of "Aristotle" is a set of descriptive properties associated with Aristotle)
- Kripke's causal-historical theory challenges the Fregean view by arguing that proper names are rigid designators
- The reference of a proper name is determined by a causal chain of communication originating with an initial baptism event, not by a set of descriptive properties
Key Terms to Review (15)
Causal-historical theory: The causal-historical theory is a philosophical framework that explains how proper names and definite descriptions acquire their meanings through a historical chain of causal relationships. It emphasizes that the reference of a name is established by tracing back its origins and the events that caused the name to be attached to its referent, rather than relying solely on descriptions or properties associated with the name.
Definite Descriptions: Definite descriptions are noun phrases that specify a particular entity and typically start with the word 'the,' indicating that the speaker assumes the listener knows exactly which entity is being referred to. This concept plays a crucial role in understanding how language conveys information about specific objects or individuals, and it interacts with issues of reference, presupposition, and the resolution of ambiguity in discourse.
Definiteness: Definiteness refers to the grammatical and semantic feature that indicates whether a noun phrase is specific or particular to the listener or speaker. It plays a crucial role in determining how language users identify referents in discourse, helping to distinguish between known entities and those that are being introduced for the first time. This feature is closely connected with proper names and definite descriptions, as they both signal a clear reference to particular objects or individuals.
Descriptive content: Descriptive content refers to the information or properties attributed to an expression, often determining its meaning or reference. It plays a crucial role in understanding how expressions relate to objects or concepts in the world, especially when discussing the theories of reference, which explore how language connects to its referents. In the context of proper names and definite descriptions, descriptive content helps clarify how individuals or things are identified based on their defining characteristics.
Direct Reference: Direct reference is a theory in semantics which posits that certain terms refer directly to objects or entities without the need for a descriptive content to convey meaning. This concept contrasts with theories that suggest that reference is mediated by descriptions or mental representations, emphasizing the immediate connection between a term and its referent. The idea plays a crucial role in understanding how proper names, definite descriptions, and indexicals function within language.
Direct Reference Theory: Direct reference theory is the idea that a proper name or a definite description directly refers to an object without the mediation of any descriptive content. This means that the meaning of a name is simply its referent, rather than relying on a set of properties associated with that referent. This approach plays a crucial role in understanding how language relates to the world, especially when discussing proper names, definite descriptions, identity statements, and contexts where meanings can be opaque.
Fregean Theory: Fregean Theory is a philosophical approach to meaning that emphasizes the distinction between sense and reference, particularly in relation to proper names and definite descriptions. It posits that the meaning of a term comprises both its reference, or the actual object it points to, and its sense, which is the way that reference is understood or presented. This theory helps clarify how we communicate about specific entities in language, revealing how different expressions can refer to the same object yet convey different meanings.
Fregean View: The Fregean view is a perspective in semantics and philosophy of language that emphasizes the distinction between the sense and reference of expressions, particularly focusing on how proper names and definite descriptions convey meaning. According to this view, the sense of an expression is its mode of presentation, while the reference is the actual object it denotes. This distinction plays a significant role in understanding how language relates to thought and the way meaning is constructed in communication.
Kripke's Causal Theory of Reference: Kripke's causal theory of reference argues that a proper name refers to an object based on a historical chain of communication rather than through a descriptive meaning. This means that names are linked to their referents via causal connections in the way they are used and passed along in discourse, suggesting that the reference of a name is not solely determined by the descriptions associated with it. This challenges traditional views that emphasize the significance of descriptions in determining meaning and reference.
Millian View: The Millian view is a theory in the philosophy of language that asserts proper names refer directly to the objects they denote without any descriptive content. This perspective emphasizes that the meaning of a proper name is simply its referent, contrasting with theories that suggest names carry associated descriptions or connotations.
Non-rigid designators: Non-rigid designators are expressions that do not refer to the same object in every possible context; their reference can vary depending on the situation or the conditions in which they are used. Unlike rigid designators, which refer to the same entity across all possible worlds, non-rigid designators can change their reference based on context or the attributes being ascribed. This quality plays a crucial role in discussions about proper names and definite descriptions, where the meaning and reference of terms may shift depending on how they are employed in various contexts.
Proper names: Proper names are specific identifiers used to refer to unique entities, such as individuals, places, or organizations. They differ from common nouns by denoting a particular item rather than a class of items, allowing them to serve as essential components in meaning-making within language. Proper names carry a sense of uniqueness and often do not require additional descriptions for identification, thus standing in contrast to definite descriptions that provide more information about the referent.
Referential Function: The referential function is a linguistic aspect that focuses on how language can be used to refer to objects, entities, or concepts in the world. This function highlights the relationship between words and their meanings, allowing speakers to convey information about specific things or ideas. It is crucial in understanding how proper names and definite descriptions work to identify unique referents, as well as how deixis operates in relation to person, time, place, and discourse.
Rigid Designators: Rigid designators are terms that refer to the same object in every possible world where that object exists. Unlike descriptions that may vary in reference across different contexts, rigid designators maintain their reference consistently. This concept is crucial for understanding how proper names and certain expressions function in relation to theories of reference, highlighting the difference between descriptive and causal-historical approaches to meaning.
Russellian Theory: The Russellian Theory, primarily associated with philosopher Bertrand Russell, posits that proper names do not refer to specific objects directly but instead serve as a means to denote descriptions that can identify those objects. This theory has significant implications for understanding how language interacts with meaning, particularly in distinguishing between the reference of names and the meanings conveyed through definite descriptions.