限定摹状词的指称问题

Referential Problems of Definite Descriptions

罗素的摹状词理论被认为是20世纪上半叶最为重要的论文,而到了20世纪下半叶罗素的主张不断受到挑战。首先发起挑战的是斯特劳森,之后唐奈兰试图对罗素和斯特劳森之间的争论进行黑格尔式的综合,并提出了摹状词的归属性—指称性区分。概要论述了近几十年来围绕着这一问题的主要论证以及所争论焦点,并概述了这种争论对语言哲学的意义。

It is widely believed that Russell＇s ＂On Denoting＂ is the most famous paper written in the first half of the twentieth century while it receives continuous challenges in the second half.P.F.Strawson initiates an attack and attacks Russell＇s positions on all major points.K.Donnellan attempts to effect an Hegelian-like synthesis of Russell and Strawson,and advocates the attributive-referential distinction of definite descriptions.The debate centering on referential uses of definite descriptions has been living in the past few decades.This paper summarizes the main arguments from different parties and the focus of the debate is analyzed and illustrated.This paper is concluded with the significance of the debate to philosophy of language.