First-person reference
It is argued that reference in first-person thought is distinct from reference in other thoughts about objects. This difference is located in the lack of acquaintance required for first-person thought. In order to be in the position to think about and refer to other objects, a subject must be acquainted with them. It is this acquaintance relation which enables him to think about a particular object. In contrast, a subject can think about himself without being acquainted with himself because he is the subject of his thought. No acquaintance relation is required in order for him to be in a position to think about himself - he is in this position already. Part I of this thesis sets out the problem of first-person thought, and introduces a distinction between subjective and objective first-person thought. Part II explores singular thought, and what it is for a subject to have a thought about a particular object. It is argued that a subject's acquaintance with an object is necessary for him to be able to think about and refer to an independent object. This means that for a subject to think about an independent object that object must in some way be present to him. In Part III it is argued that for a subject to
Taylor, Jennifer Elizabeth Vaughan
First-person reference. It is argued that reference in first-person thought is distinct from reference in other thoughts about objects. This difference is located in the lack of acquaintance required for first-person thought. In order to be in the position to think about and refer to other objects, a subject must be acquainted with them. It is this acquaintance relation which enables him to think about a particular object. In contrast, a subject can think about himself without being acquainted with himself because he is the subject of his thought. No acquaintance relation is required in order for him to be in a position to think about himself - he is in this position already. Part I of this thesis sets out the problem of first-person thought, and introduces a distinction between subjective and objective first-person thought. Part II explores singular thought, and what it is for a subject to have a thought about a particular object. It is argued that a subject's acquaintance with an object is necessary for him to be able to think about and refer to an independent object. This means that for a subject to think about an independent object that object must in some way be present to him. In Part III it is argued that for a subject to
first_person reference argue reference first_person think distinct reference thought object difference locate lack acquaintance require first_person thought order position think refer object subject must acquaint them acquaintance relation enable think particular object contrast subject think without acquaint subject thought acquaintance relation require order position think position already part set problem first_person thought introduces distinction subjective objective first_person thought part_explore singular thought subject think particular object argue subject acquaintance object necessary able think refer independent object mean subject think independent object object must way present him part_iii argue subject