Demonstratives, definite descriptions and non-redundancy
Journal article
Blumberg, Kyle Hammet. (2020). Demonstratives, definite descriptions and non-redundancy. Philosophical Studies. 177(1), pp. 39 - 64. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11098-018-1179-3
Authors | Blumberg, Kyle Hammet |
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Abstract | In some sentences, demonstratives can be substituted with definite descriptions without any change in meaning. In light of this, some have maintained that demonstratives are just a type of definite description. However, several theorists have drawn attention to a range of cases where definite descriptions are acceptable, but their demonstrative counterparts are not. Some have tried to account for this data by appealing to presupposition. I argue that such presuppositional approaches are problematic, and present a pragmatic account of the target contrasts. On this approach, demonstratives take two arguments and generally require that the first, covert argument is non-redundant with respect to the second, overt argument. I derive this condition through an economy principle discussed by Schlenker (in: Maier, Bary, Huitink (eds) Proceedings of Sub9, 2005). |
Keywords | demonstratives; definite descriptions; presupposition; minimize restrictors |
Year | 2020 |
Journal | Philosophical Studies |
Journal citation | 177 (1), pp. 39 - 64 |
Publisher | Springer |
ISSN | 0031-8116 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1007/s11098-018-1179-3 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85055755607 |
Page range | 39 - 64 |
Research Group | Dianoia Institute of Philosophy |
Publisher's version | File Access Level Controlled |
Place of publication | Netherlands |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/88x18/demonstratives-definite-descriptions-and-non-redundancy
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