The focus of this paper is the following question: How is the reference of a proper name determined in the actual world? I first introduce Kripke’s criticism of the traditional descriptive theories concerning the ref...The focus of this paper is the following question: How is the reference of a proper name determined in the actual world? I first introduce Kripke’s criticism of the traditional descriptive theories concerning the reference of proper names. Then I discuss Kripke’s own causal theory and the problems it faces. After presenting and analyzing Evans’s important work on this topic, I propose and defend a causal and descriptive solution to the above central question. I argue that this solution combines the merits of both the descriptive theory and the causal theory and it can solve all currently known difficulties faced by various theories of reference.展开更多
This paper first introduces the history and current challenges concerning the studies of the meaning of proper names. It then proposes and defends a social and pragmatic theory. The contends that this theory can solve...This paper first introduces the history and current challenges concerning the studies of the meaning of proper names. It then proposes and defends a social and pragmatic theory. The contends that this theory can solve all six difficulties posed by the modal argument, the epistemic argument, the semantic argument as criticisms of the traditional descriptive theories, and Frege’s puzzle, belief puzzles, empty name puzzles as objections to the direct reference theory. Finally the emphasizes that this theory represents a life holistic viewpoint, according to which the meaning of proper names is determined by social, historical, environmental, and pragmatic factors and considerations in our life as a whole.展开更多
This paper first introduces various theories of eliminativism in the philosophy of mind.It then presents and analyzes Richard Rorty’s disappearance form of the identity theory as a specific version of eliminative mat...This paper first introduces various theories of eliminativism in the philosophy of mind.It then presents and analyzes Richard Rorty’s disappearance form of the identity theory as a specific version of eliminative materialism.The author considers two intuitive objections to Rorty’s theory and then constructs two thought experiments: the case of public pain and the case of twin earth pain in order to defend,elaborate,and develop Rorty’s viewpoint and position.Finally the author shows what morals we can draw from Rorty’s methodology and insight and how the two thought experiments given in this paper can shed light on the debate between materialism and anti-materialism in the philosophy of mind.展开更多
意识感受性（Qualia）是指在我们各自的意识经验中的那种特定的现象特征（phenomenal character）或者说质地内容（qualitative content）。这种特定的现象特征体现了意识经验中“那究竟像什么”（what it is like）的成分。反物理主义...意识感受性（Qualia）是指在我们各自的意识经验中的那种特定的现象特征（phenomenal character）或者说质地内容（qualitative content）。这种特定的现象特征体现了意识经验中“那究竟像什么”（what it is like）的成分。反物理主义哲学家利用意识感受性构建出各种反物理主义论证，其中包括可想象性论证、知识论证、解释空缺论证等。物理主义哲学家起初的回应主要是依赖于源自克里普克工作的后天必然性策略。当查默斯等人用二维语义学论证消解了后天必然性策略之后，物理主义哲学家转而提出和发展完善了一些新的策略，其中特别突出的是现象概念策略①以及表征主义（representationalism）策略。展开更多
文摘The focus of this paper is the following question: How is the reference of a proper name determined in the actual world? I first introduce Kripke’s criticism of the traditional descriptive theories concerning the reference of proper names. Then I discuss Kripke’s own causal theory and the problems it faces. After presenting and analyzing Evans’s important work on this topic, I propose and defend a causal and descriptive solution to the above central question. I argue that this solution combines the merits of both the descriptive theory and the causal theory and it can solve all currently known difficulties faced by various theories of reference.
文摘This paper first introduces the history and current challenges concerning the studies of the meaning of proper names. It then proposes and defends a social and pragmatic theory. The contends that this theory can solve all six difficulties posed by the modal argument, the epistemic argument, the semantic argument as criticisms of the traditional descriptive theories, and Frege’s puzzle, belief puzzles, empty name puzzles as objections to the direct reference theory. Finally the emphasizes that this theory represents a life holistic viewpoint, according to which the meaning of proper names is determined by social, historical, environmental, and pragmatic factors and considerations in our life as a whole.
文摘This paper first introduces various theories of eliminativism in the philosophy of mind.It then presents and analyzes Richard Rorty’s disappearance form of the identity theory as a specific version of eliminative materialism.The author considers two intuitive objections to Rorty’s theory and then constructs two thought experiments: the case of public pain and the case of twin earth pain in order to defend,elaborate,and develop Rorty’s viewpoint and position.Finally the author shows what morals we can draw from Rorty’s methodology and insight and how the two thought experiments given in this paper can shed light on the debate between materialism and anti-materialism in the philosophy of mind.
文摘意识感受性（Qualia）是指在我们各自的意识经验中的那种特定的现象特征（phenomenal character）或者说质地内容（qualitative content）。这种特定的现象特征体现了意识经验中“那究竟像什么”（what it is like）的成分。反物理主义哲学家利用意识感受性构建出各种反物理主义论证，其中包括可想象性论证、知识论证、解释空缺论证等。物理主义哲学家起初的回应主要是依赖于源自克里普克工作的后天必然性策略。当查默斯等人用二维语义学论证消解了后天必然性策略之后，物理主义哲学家转而提出和发展完善了一些新的策略，其中特别突出的是现象概念策略①以及表征主义（representationalism）策略。
