Oxford University Press Fixing Reference (Context & Content) - Oxford University Press

Explore a new perspective on linguistic philosophy with Fixing Reference (Context & Content) from Oxford University Press. In this work, Imogen Dickie develops a fresh account of aboutness-fixing for thoughts regarding ordinary objects and reference-fixing for the singular terms used to express them. Moving beyond standard discussions that often follow repetitive paths through descriptivist proposals and causalist alternatives, this book offers a new beginning. The author builds a framework based on two fundamental principles. The first principle establishes a connection between aboutness and truth, stating that a belief is about an object based on the properties upon which its truth or falsity depends. The second principle links truth and justification. This text is designed for readers looking to move past traditional attempts to combine elements of existing theories. By providing a distinct approach to how singular terms and thoughts relate to the world, it serves as a significant contribution to the study of reference and language.