Definite Descriptions: Language, Logic, and Elimination

Gratzl, Norbert (2009): Definite Descriptions: Language, Logic, and Elimination. In: Hieke, Alexander and Leitgeb, Hannes (eds.) : Reduction – Abstraction – Analysis Proceedings of the 31th International Ludwig Wittgenstein-Symposium in Kirchberg 2008. Publications of the Austrian Ludwig Wittgenstein Society. New Series., Ontos Verlag. pp. 353-361

Abstract

Definite descriptions are in the focus of philosophical discussion at least since Russell's famous paper "On Denoting". We present in this paper a logic with descriptions in Russell's spirit. The formulation, however, is closely related to Schütte's development of predicate logic, i.e. the formulation of the calculus uses positive- and negative-parts. With respect to this slightly more sophisticated formulation it is possible to formalize Russell's convention that is originally stated in the metalanguage of his theory of descriptions within our calculus. In this paper we prove an elimination theorem for this calculus.

• Item Type: Book Section
• Faculties: Philosophy, Philosophy of Science and Religious Science > Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy (MCMP); Philosophy, Philosophy of Science and Religious Science > Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy (MCMP) > Logic
• Subjects: 100 Philosophy and Psychology > 100 Philosophy; 100 Philosophy and Psychology > 160 Logic
• ISBN: 978-3868380477
• Language: English