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Kaplan and Marti on definite descriptions: nonstandard cases of referential use

https://doi.org/10.25206/2542-0488-2024-9-3-79-82

EDN: IGCIVU

Abstract

Donnellan’s distinction between referential and attributive uses of definite descriptions has two explanations — the semantic and the pragmatic one. A version of semantic explanations was outlined by Kaplan and elaborated in detail by Marti. They construe a referentially used definite description as a proper name in the Millian sense. In a recent paper, I showed that the evidence Kaplan–Marti theory relies on is inappropriate with respect to the standard case of referential use, which makes the pragmatic theory preferable. This paper is a continuation of the cited one. Here I examine a number of non-standard cases of referential use and demonstrate that, with respect to them, Kaplan–Marti theory has no advantage over the pragmatic account either. 

About the Author

E. V. Borisov
Institute of Philosophy and Law of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation

BORISOV Evgeny Vasilyevich, Doctor of Philosophical Sciences, Associate Professor, Chief Researcher of Philosophy Department 

Novosibirsk 

AuthorID (RSCI): 278628 

ResearcherID: T-3807-2017

AuthorID (SCOPUS): 56287727200 



References

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Review

For citations:


Borisov E.V. Kaplan and Marti on definite descriptions: nonstandard cases of referential use. Omsk Scientific Bulletin. Series Society. History. Modernity. 2024;9(3):79-82. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25206/2542-0488-2024-9-3-79-82. EDN: IGCIVU

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