WHAT'S IN A ( N EMPTY ) NAME?

Fred Adams

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Philosophy and Theoretical Science Syntax, Semantics, Linguistic Variation Epistemology, Ethics, and Metaphysics

Abstract

Abstract: This paper defends a direct reference view of names including empty names. The theory says that empty names literally have no meaning and cannot be used to express truths. Names, including empty names, are associated with accompanying descriptions that are implicated in pragmati‐cally imparted truths when empty names are used. This view is defended against several important objections having to do with differences in names, descriptions associated with the names, and considerations of modality. The view is shown to be superior to an alternative theory treating empty names as the “descriptive names” of Kripke and Evans.

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References

1972Naming and Necessity 1982The varieties of reference 1983From folk psychology to cognitive science: The case against belief.1993Direct Reference: From Language to Thought 1993Empty Names 2000Empty Names, Fiction, and the Puzzles of Non-Existence 1996Language-Created Language-Independent Entities 1997The Semantics of Fictional Names

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