Grammar, ambiguity, and descriptions : a study in the semantics of definite descriptions
The semantics of definite descriptions has been a central topic in philosophy of language ever since Russellâs landmark paper âOn Denotingâ(1905). Russell argued that definite descriptions should not be seen as referential expressions, but instead as quantificational expressions. In other words, a sentential utterance containing a definite description should be understood as expressing a general/object-independent proposition. A problem arises with the view once we consider the fact that definite descriptions are used frequently and consistently to refer to particular individuals. Through this observation, Donnellan (1966) argued that definite descriptions would be better understood as having two distinct uses, one referential and one attributive/quantificational. We can call this the ambiguity problem in definite descriptions. The following thesis will argue that the ambiguity problem disappears once we take seriously the grammar that underpins sentential utterances containing definite descriptions, and that the semantics of the definite article is determined in part by the grammatical topology of determiner phrases and in part by what grammatical environments determiner phrases can be felicitously
Hughes, Thomas James
Grammar, ambiguity, and descriptions : a study in the semantics of definite descriptions. The semantics of definite descriptions has been a central topic in philosophy of language ever since Russellâs landmark paper âOn Denotingâ(1905). Russell argued that definite descriptions should not be seen as referential expressions, but instead as quantificational expressions. In other words, a sentential utterance containing a definite description should be understood as expressing a general/object-independent proposition. A problem arises with the view once we consider the fact that definite descriptions are used frequently and consistently to refer to particular individuals. Through this observation, Donnellan (1966) argued that definite descriptions would be better understood as having two distinct uses, one referential and one attributive/quantificational. We can call this the ambiguity problem in definite descriptions. The following thesis will argue that the ambiguity problem disappears once we take seriously the grammar that underpins sentential utterances containing definite descriptions, and that the semantics of the definite article is determined in part by the grammatical topology of determiner phrases and in part by what grammatical environments determiner phrases can be felicitously
grammar ambiguity description study semantics definite_description semantics definite_description central_topic philosophy_language ever_since russell landmark paper denoting russell argue definite_description see referential expression instead expression word sentential utterance contain definite_description understand express general object independent proposition problem_arise view consider fact definite_description use frequently consistently refer particular individual observation argue definite_description would well understand two_distinct referential attributive call ambiguity problem definite_description follow argue ambiguity problem take_seriously grammar underpins sentential utterance contain definite_description semantics definite_article determine part grammatical topology determiner_phrase part grammatical environment determiner_phrase