Russell's Theory of Descriptions | On Kripke's Rigidity Thesis | On Denoting | On Sense and Reference

On Reserve: The articles mentioned on the course outline.

Requirements: Mid-term Paper (20 pts), Final Paper (30 pts), four of five pop-quizzes (20pts), and a Final Exam (30 pts).

The mid-term paper will be a short (3-4 page) essay on Russell's Theory of Descriptions. The final paper is on a topic to be negotiated.

Course Outline:

A. The Millian Theory of the Meaning of Names. (Devitt)

B. Arguments against the Millian theory. (Devitt, Frege and Russell-1)

C. The Description Theory of the Meaning and Reference of Names.

• Frege's version. (Frege)

• Russell's version. (Russell-1 and Russell-2)

D. Arguments against the Description Theory. (Naming and Necessity)

E. In defense of the Description Theory. (Searle)

F. Two puzzles From Kripke.

• Kripke's Puzzle About Belief. (Kripke)

  • Four attempted solutions. (Harrison, Marcus, Noonan, and Over)

  • Are beliefs in the head? (Lewis)

  • A local Millian attempt. (Ryckman)

• Kripke's Puzzle of the Contingent A Priori. (Naming and Necessity)

  • Two attempted Millian solutions. (Blackburn and Donnellan)

  • A local Millian attempt. (Ryckman)

 By me for class:

• Russell's Theory of Descriptions

• On Rigid Designation