Work · Analytic Philosophy
On Referring
Against Russell’s theory of descriptions: if there is no King of France, “The King of France is bald” is neither true nor false.
Introduction
P. F. Strawson published the paper in Mind in 1950 as a direct challenge to Russell’s theory of descriptions (1905), which analysed “The King of France is bald” as claiming that there is exactly one King of France and that he is bald – so that the sentence is false. Strawson distinguishes a sentence from its use on a particular occasion: it is statements made by using sentences, not sentences themselves, that are true or false. Using “the King of France” presupposes rather than asserts that there is one; if the presupposition fails, the question of truth does not arise. Russell replied sharply in 1957 with “Mr. Strawson on Referring”. The paper opened the study of presupposition in philosophy and linguistics.
Connections
Criticizes
- On Denoting1905 · Bertrand Russell
More works by P. F. Strawson
Appears in
- Journey ‘The Linguistic Turn’ · Stop 6 of 10
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