Theory of descriptions:
Theory invented by English philosopher and mathematician Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) in 1905 to show how denoting phrases like ‘the present king of France’ could still have meaning though there is nothing for them to denote.
Russell claimed that the grammatical form of ‘The present king of France is bald’ is misleading as to its logical form, which involves an existential claim; the sentence really says: ‘There exists exactly one person reigning over France and there exists no person reigning over France who is not bald’, which is false (because of its first clause) but uncontroversially meaningful.
Because the analysis of sentences should not depend on what happens to exist, Russell applied his analysis to all denoting phrases, calling most of them definite or indefinite descriptions (according to whether they involved the definite or indefinite articles (or their equivalents)). He also applied it to ordering proper names, which he treated as disguised descriptions.
The theory has been criticized as unnatural and unnecessary, but it and its ramifications have been immensely influential and are still current issues.
Source:
B Russell, ‘On Denoting’, Mind (1905); often reprinted
Table of Contents
- 1 Videos
- 2 Related Products
- 2.1 The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Eleventh Season (DVD)
- 2.2 Atomic Theory and the Description of Nature: Four Essays with an Introductory Survey
- 2.3 The Age of Hubble
- 2.4 Hybrid Theory
- 2.5 String Theory
- 2.6 Monster Black Hole
- 2.7 The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Series (Limited Edition Blu-ray + Digital)
- 2.8 Volume I - Atomic Theory and the Description of Nature (Philosophical Writings of Niels Bohr Series, Vol 1)
- 2.9 Night Moves: An Alex Delaware Novel
- 2.10 The Big Bang Theory: Season 2
- simple theory of types
- causal theory of names
- logical relation theory of probability
- counterpart theory
- causal theory of memory
Videos
The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Eleventh Season (DVD)
- Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco (Actors)
- Chuck Lorre (Producer)
- French, Spanish (Subtitles)
- Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Atomic Theory and the Description of Nature: Four Essays with an Introductory Survey
- Bohr, Niels (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 128 Pages - 06/16/2011 (Publication Date) - Cambridge University Press (Publisher)
The Age of Hubble
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Thomas Lucas (Director) - Thomas Lucas (Writer) - Thomas Lucas (Producer)
- English (Playback Language)
- English (Subtitle)
Hybrid Theory
- This CD has been professionally cleaned and resurfaced. Item is in 100% working order and guaranteed. CD case not included.
- Audio CD – Audiobook
- English (Publication Language)
- Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
- 10/24/2000 (Publication Date) - Warner Bros. (Publisher)
Monster Black Hole
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Thomas Lucas (Director) - Thomas Lucas (Producer)
- English (Playback Language)
- English (Subtitle)
The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Series (Limited Edition Blu-ray + Digital)
- Various (Actor)
- Various (Director)
- Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Volume I - Atomic Theory and the Description of Nature (Philosophical Writings of Niels Bohr Series, Vol 1)
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Niels Bohr (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 119 Pages - 06/15/1987 (Publication Date) - Ox Bow Press (Publisher)
Night Moves: An Alex Delaware Novel
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Kellerman, Jonathan (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 442 Pages - 02/13/2018 (Publication Date) - Ballantine Books (Publisher)
The Big Bang Theory: Season 2
- Condition: New
- Format: DVD
- Box set; Color; Dolby; Dubbed; DVD; Subtitled; Widescreen; NTSC
- Galecki, Johnny, Parsons, Jim, Kaley Cuoco (Actors)
- Chinese, French, English, Portuguese, Spanish (Subtitles)
- English (Publication Language)
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