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Nasrin Sultana A Defense of Bertrand Russell’s Theory of Definite Descriptions against Donnellan’s Distinction by Nasrin Sultana A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Department of Philosophy University of Alberta © Nasrin Sultana, 2017 Abstract According to Russell’s theory of descriptions, a sentence of the form “The F is G” expresses the general proposition There is exactly one F and whatever is an F is G. According to Donnellan, there are two types of uses of a definite description: an attributive use and a referential use. A definite description is said to be used attributively when a speaker intends to assert something about whoever or whatever fits the description “the F”. In that case “The F is G” expresses there is exactly one F and whatever is an F is G. On the other hand, a definite description, according to him, is said to be used referentially when a speaker uses a sentence containing that definite description to state something about a particular object, o, the speaker has already had in mind. In such a case the sentence “The F is G” expresses the proposition o is G. Thus, a sentence of the form “The F is G” is ambiguous, it has two sorts of meaning: an attributive meaning and a referential meaning. Based on the ambiguity mentioned above Donnellan claims that Russell’s theory is incorrect as it fails to accommodate the referential meaning of sentences containing definite descriptions. In this thesis, I defend Russell’s theory against the problem arising from Donnellan’s distinction. I show that Donnellan’s distinction doesn’t posit a genuine problem for Russell’s theory in either way: (a) neither is a sentence containing a definite description ambiguous, i.e. it has always one lexical meaning; (b) nor does Russell’s theory deny the pragmatic significance of a sentence containing a definite description. In support of (a), (i) I focus on the distinction between semantics and pragmatics and argue that the existence of convention alone cannot be a sufficient condition for determining the semantic meaning of a sentence, rather the semantic meaning of a sentence is the literal meaning which is defined by a dictionary and the grammar of a language. (ii) I refute Michael Devitt’s arguments for the semantic significance of referential definite descriptions based on the ii regularity of using referential descriptions, and the similarity between the function and mechanism of determining the referents of “the F” and “that F”. And (iii) I defend Kripke, who claims that Donnellan’s distinction can be explained by a general apparatus of speech acts, by showing that the general proposition There is exactly one F and whatever is an F is G is the literal meaning or what is said by “The F is G”, whereas the singular proposition o is G, expressed by “The F is G”, is a generalized conversational implicature which is derived in virtue of the meaning of the words used in the utterance of “The F is G”, though o is G is different from the literal meaning of “The F is G” (i.e. There is exactly one F and whatever is an F is G). In support of (b), I focus on the intention and significance of Russell’s theory of descriptions. I argue that Russell’s theory of definite descriptions is a theory of denotation; and hence it is a theory of semantics, and not of pragmatics, whereas the distinction Donnellan offered is an issue of pragmatics. So, a pragmatically significant theory like Donnellan’s cannot posit a genuine problem to a semantic theory like Russell’s. iii Dedication To my mother Monwara Begum (1964-) & to the memory of my father A. K. M. Nurul Islam (1954-2011) who brought me into this world and dedicated their whole lives to making my life safe and sound. iv Acknowledgement I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisor Professor Bernard Linsky for his continuous support, valuable suggestions and academic guidance in this research project. Professor Linsky became not only my thesis supervisor but was already my interim supervisor when I entered the Department of Philosophy at the University of Alberta. In these ongoing functions, he made a significant contribution to the completion of my degree. The door to his office was always open for me when I ran into a trouble spot or had a question about my research. He consistently allowed this dissertation to be my own work, but steered me in the right direction whenever he thought I needed it. In fact, without his valuable suggestions and directions I would not be able to write my thesis on Russell. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude toward my co-supervisor Professor Ingo Brigandt for his insightful thoughts and suggestions. Professor Brigandt took time to sit together, emphasised the clarity of the arguments, provided me with very fruitful feedback that led me to concentrate on the main point of the thesis. I must say that working with Professor Brigandt is a great training. I would also like to thank Professor Allen Hazen for his consent to be the arm’s length examiner of the thesis committee, attending my oral exam and giving valuable suggestions. I want to acknowledge the contributions of my teacher and mentor Professor Mostofa Nazmul Mansur to my academic career, but I find that no word is sufficient to express my gratitude toward him. Professor Mansur encouraged me, motivated me, in fact did everything with his own hand to send me here to pursue my degree. Before I came to Canada what I learnt in Philosophy of Language and Logic was learnt from Professor Mansur. I strongly believe that I have been able to defend Russell’s theory of definite descriptions because I was a student of Professor Mansur. Although during the writing of my dissertation we could not be in contact, his PhD dissertation helped me a lot to clarify some important points. I would like to thank my teachers and colleagues Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan and Professor Md. Munir Hossain Talukder for encouraging and supporting me to pursue my studies abroad. Without their valuable recommendations, it wouldn’t be possible for me to get offered an admission at the University of Alberta. I would like to extend my heartiest gratitude toward all the faculty members of the Department of Philosophy at University of Alberta, in particular Professor Jack Zupko, the chair of the department, Professor Marie- v Eve Morin, Professor Alexander Rueger, Professor Jennifer Welchman, Professor Kathrin Koslicki, Professor Francis Jeffry Pelletier, Professor Amy Schmitter, Professor Howard Nye and so on for their inspirational words and kind help to complete my degree at the University of Alberta. I would also like to thank all of my teachers and esteemed colleagues working at Jahangirnagar University, in particular Professor Farzana Islam, the Vice- chancellor of Jahangirnagar University (JU), Professor Amir Hossain, Dean, Faculty of Social Science, Professor Muhammad Tareq Chowdhury, Chairman of the department of Philosophy, Professor Fahmina Ahmed for encouraging me and providing me with all kinds of logistic supports regarding pursuing my higher education in Canada. They always stood beside my family whenever my family was in need. I do not think that I should thank my mother Monwara Begum, as I always consider her as my part. What I achieved in my whole life are also her own achievements. She sacrificed her happiness to make my life happy. Because none but only she can read my mind and she always allows me to do what I want to do. She took all the responsibilities of rearing and bearing my daughter and all kinds of family burdens on her own shoulder. I have been able to finish my degree leaving my daughter abroad because I have such a loving, caring and supportive mom. I can understand how much of a sacrifice my beloved daughter Mumtaza Tanha Mardia Ninith made when I came here and stayed for two years leaving her abroad. She is the most vulnerable person whom I deprived of close contact when she really needed her mother’s love. I also thankful to my brother A. K. M. Ashraful Islam for taking the responsibility of taking care of my mother and my daughter. Few years ago, I lost my father A K M Nurul Islam. But I can feel how much happy he would be today if he was alive. My father always wanted and encouraged me to pursue higher studies abroad. That is why I want to dedicate this dissertation to the memory of my father along with to my mother. vi Table of Contents Abstract ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ii-iii Dedication-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- iv Acknowledgement ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- v-vi Table of Contents ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- vii-viii Chapter One: Russell’s Theory of Definite Descriptions, Its Background and 1-36 Uses -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.1 Background to Russell’s Theory of Definite Descriptions ------ 1 1.2 Russell’s Theory of Definite Descriptions and Its Uses --------- 15 Chapter Two: Donnellan’s Objections to Russell’s Theory ------------------------- 37-51 Chapter Three: Responses to Donnellan’s Distinction ------------------------------- 52-88 3.1 Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------- 52 3.2 Saul A. Kripke’s Response ------------------------------------------- 53 3.3 Michael Devitt’s Response ------------------------------------------- 71
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