The Unfinished Semantic Agenda Of Naming And Necessity

In the realm of philosophy of language, there are few works that have had as much impact as Saul Kripke's Naming and Necessity. Published in 1980, this groundbreaking book challenged the prevailing theories of reference and offered a new perspective on the nature of names, their meanings, and their relationship to the world.

Kripke's work revolves around the idea that names have a fixed reference, regardless of the descriptions or properties associated with the named object. This approach, known as direct reference, stands in contrast to the traditional view that names derive their meaning from the properties or descriptions that we associate with them.

Beyond Rigidity: The Unfinished Semantic Agenda of Naming and Necessity

by Scott Soames (1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4407 KB
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Print length	:	392 pages
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One of the major contributions of Naming and Necessity is the distinction between a posteriori and a priori truths. Kripke argues that certain truths, such as "Hesperus is Phosphorus" (referring to the planet Venus), are necessary but not knowable through empirical investigation. These statements rely on the identity of the named objects rather than contingent facts about them.

The Challenge of Descriptive Names

While Kripke's direct reference approach offers a compelling account of how names function, it does not adequately address the semantic role of descriptive names. Descriptive names are names that carry descriptive content that distinguishes them from other names referring to the same object. For example, "The Statue of Liberty" is a descriptive name that conveys information about the object being named.

The issue with descriptive names arises when we consider cases where the descriptive content of a name changes over time. Take the example of "New York." Originally, this name referred to the city founded in 1624 by Dutch colonists. However, the city has evolved, and today it carries a different set of meanings and associations compared to its origins. Can we still consider "New York" a direct reference name, given its changing descriptive content?

This question opens up the unfinished semantic agenda of naming and necessity. It challenges us to reconsider Kripke's direct reference approach in light of the complexities and fluidity of descriptive names in our language.

The Role of Context

One possible solution to the challenge of descriptive names lies in the role of context. Context can modify or disambiguate the descriptive content of a name, allowing it to evoke different associations without changing its reference. For example, when we use the name "New York" in the context of discussing American history, it may refer to the city as it existed in the past. In contrast, when used in a contemporary context, it refers to the city as it is today.

Contextual disambiguation can help address the tension between the fixed reference of names and the evolving descriptive content associated with them. However, it requires a more elaborate semantic framework that accounts for the dynamic nature of language and the diverse contexts in which names are used.

The Future of Naming and Necessity

The unfinished semantic agenda of naming and necessity invites further exploration and refinement of the theories proposed by Saul Kripke. As our understanding of language evolves, so must our philosophical frameworks for grappling with the complexities of names and their meanings.

In , Saul Kripke's Naming and Necessity laid the foundation for a new understanding of names and their reference. While the direct reference approach offers valuable insights, it falls short when it comes to descriptive names and the fluidity of their meanings over time. We need to embrace the challenges posed by descriptive names and explore new avenues for reconciling fixed reference with evolving semantics.

Beyond Rigidity: The Unfinished Semantic Agenda of Naming and Necessity

by Scott Soames (1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4407 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	392 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

In this fascinating work, Scott Soames offers a new conception of the relationship between linguistic meaning and assertions made by utterances. He gives meanings of proper names and natural kind predicates and explains their use in attitude ascriptions. He also demonstrates the irrelevance of rigid designation in understanding why theoretical identities containing such predicates are necessary, if true.