Referring to the world : an opinionated introduction to the theory of reference / Kenneth A. Taylor.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Taylor, Kenneth Allen, 1954-2019, author.

Series:

Oxford scholarship online.

Oxford scholarship online

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Reference (Philosophy).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (x, 297 pages).

Other Title:

Opinionated introduction to the theory of reference

Place of Publication:

New York, New York : Oxford University Press, [2021]

Summary:

Our words & ideas refer to objects and properties in the external world; this phenomenon is central to thought, language, communication, & science. But great works of fiction are full of names that don't seem to refer to anything! This book explores the myriad of problems that surround the phenomenon of reference. How can words in language & 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 & literature, & how does this use of language connect with more mundane uses? The book develops a framework for understanding reference, & the theories that other thinkers have developed about it. But it doesn't simply tell us what others thought; the book is full of new ideas, making for a vital final contribution from a seminal philosopher.

Contents:

The mystery of reference and objective representational content

Inner fitness and outer cause: The two factors of content

Against Jazz Combo theories of meaning and reference

Puzzles of coreference: Theme and variations

Concepts, conceptions in the psychology of the referring mind

Representing representations: The priority of the De Re

The things we do with empty names.

Notes:

Also issued in print: 2021.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

0-19-753734-0

0-19-753735-9

0-19-753733-2

OCLC:

1230253057