Skip to content
Carmelics
TopicsThinkersChangesContributorsLoading account…

    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

    Navigate

    • Topics
    • Search
    • Recent Changes
    • Contribute
    • How It Works
    • Glossary
    • Thinkers
    • Contributors
    • About
    • Statistics
    • Terms
    • Privacy

    Database

    Statements
    —
    Perspectives
    —
    Topics
    —

    Press ? for keyboard shortcuts

    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Demonstrative reference requires a backing description to... — Carmelics
    Home
    HistoryEditSee Inverse

    Part of a larger discussion

    Challenges→Demonstratively identified individuals are directly referred to, not identified in virtue of qualities the agent uses to conceive the object

    Demonstrative reference requires a backing description to fix which object is demonstrated, as Searle argues in 'Intentionality' (1983).

    ?Rate how convincing each reason is below to see the overall strength.
    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Demonstratives like 'this' and 'that' require individuating criteria to distinguish their referents from other nearby objects.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Without descriptive content fixing the relevant object, demonstrations would fail to secure determinate reference in ambiguous contexts.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Searle's internalist account explains how speaker intentions connect demonstrative utterances to world via conceptual content.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Direct reference theories (Kripke, Kaplan) show demonstratives can pick out objects without prior descriptive identification.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Infants and animals use demonstrative-like pointing without possessing explicit backing descriptions about the object.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Descriptions can be false or absent while demonstration still succeeds, suggesting descriptions aren't necessary for reference.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Sign in or register to share your perspective on this statement.

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.

    Connections

    1 topic

    Philosophy of Language1 linked

    Related

    Demonstratively identified individuals are directly referred to, not identified ...Demonstratives like 'this' and 'that' require individuating criteria to distingu...Descriptions can be false or absent while demonstration still succeeds, suggesti...Direct reference theories (Kripke, Kaplan) show demonstratives can pick out obje...
    +3 moreShow less
    Infants and animals use demonstrative-like pointing without possessing explicit ...Searle's internalist account explains how speaker intentions connect demonstrati...Without descriptive content fixing the relevant object, demonstrations would fai...

    Details

    Type
    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
    Edits
    1 edit