Nondescriptive Meaning and Reference An Ideational Semantics [Hardcover]

Wayne Davis presents a highly original approach to the foundations of semantics, showing how the so-called expression theory of meaning can handle names and other problematic cases of nondescriptive meaning. The fact that thoughts have parts ( ideas or concepts ) is fundamental: Davis argues that like other unstructured words, names mean what they do because they are conventionally used to express atomic or basic ideas. In the process he shows that many pillars of contemporary philosophical semantics, from twin earth arguments to the necessity of identity, are unfounded.

I. The Expression Theory of Meaning
1. Introduction
2. Thoughts
3. Ideas
4. Speaking Meaning and Expression
5. Word Meaning
6. Nondescriptive Meaning
II. Reference
7. Reference and Expression
8. Reference and Intention
9. Meaning and Reference
III. Names
10. Millian Theories
11. Defences of Millianism
12. Fregean Theories
13. Standard Name Meaning
14. Formal Semantics
15. Rigidity and Identity

The focus of attention here is on some special structures of meaning commonly regarded as presenting special problems for expressionist theories of language but essential for any comprehensive treatment of the subject. Particularly impressive is Davis' account of the connection between reference and predication, and the distinctive way in which the meaning of names determines their reference. In light of that account, special treatment is given to interrogatives, imperatives, interjections, syncategorematic terms, and pejorative terms. --Choice