The Theory of Descriptions

Russell's theory of descriptions is one of the most influential contributions made to modern analytical philosophy. It continues to be the subject of contemporary debates in the philosophy of language, and a subject of great historical interest. However, the historical and philosophical treatments o [...]
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Russell's theory of descriptions is one of the most influential contributions made to modern analytical philosophy. It continues to be the subject of contemporary debates in the philosophy of language, and a subject of great historical interest. However, the historical and philosophical treatments of the theory have largely been kept in isolation from one another. The main reason for this has been the universal adoption by historians of an interpretation of Russell as one for whom language was philosophically irrelevant. This book seeks to overturn that interpretation and to present in its place an interpretation of Russell as one for whom the philosophy of language was a central concern. The book defends and extends the theory as a contribution to natural language semantics, while carefully retaining a sensitivity to the historical details of Russell's work, to defend an interpretation of Russell as a pioneering philosopher of language.