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 Atomic Theory and the Description of Nature: Four Essays with an Introductory Survey
- 2.2 The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Series (Limited Edition Blu-ray + Digital)
- 2.3 Hybrid Theory
- 2.4 The Description Logic Handbook: Theory, Implementation and Applications
- 2.5 The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Eleventh Season (DVD)
- 2.6 Volume I - Atomic Theory and the Description of Nature (Philosophical Writings of Niels Bohr Series, Vol 1)
- 2.7 String Theory
- 2.8 White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide
- 2.9 The Big Bang Theory: Season 7
- 2.10 Minutes To Midnight
- simple theory of types
- causal theory of names
- logical relation theory of probability
- counterpart theory
- causal theory of memory
Videos
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 Big Bang Theory: The Complete Series (Limited Edition Blu-ray + Digital)
- Various (Actor)
- Various (Director)
- Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
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)
The Description Logic Handbook: Theory, Implementation and Applications
- English (Publication Language)
- 622 Pages - 06/28/2010 (Publication Date) - Cambridge University Press (Publisher)
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)
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)
White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Anderson Ph.D., Carol (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 248 Pages - 05/31/2016 (Publication Date) - Bloomsbury USA (Publisher)
The Big Bang Theory: Season 7
- TV
- Run Time: 485
- Release Date: 9/16/2014
- NR
- Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco (Actors)
- Chuck Lorre (Producer)
Minutes To Midnight
- 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)
- 05/15/2007 (Publication Date) - Warner Bros. (Publisher)
Last update 2020-06-17. Price and product availability may change.