The Autonomy of Reference

Name: The Autonomy of Reference
Price: 190 AUD
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ISBN: 9781666969627

On the Relational Structure of Nominals

Zoltán Vecsey

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Hardback

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English

Lexington Books
15 September 2024

Philosophy of language; Semantics

Series: Philosophy of Language: Connections and Perspectives

In The Autonomy of Reference: On the Relational Structure of Nominals, Zoltán Vecsey defends a moderate autonomy thesis concerning the explanatory status of nominal reference. The autonomy thesis is based on the observation that the relational term of reference exhibits a specific resistance to systematizing attempts. The resistance can be observed on two complementary fronts. On the one hand, reference cannot be introduced into the vocabulary of theoretical linguistics in a de novo manner because every reasonable introductory technique must be built on such expressions that are already functioning in a relational mode. On the other hand, and for similar reasons, the term cannot simply be removed from the vocabulary of theoretical linguistics because every reasonable technique of removal must be built on expressions that are still functioning in a relational mode. Although reference is an autonomous aspect of meaning in that it shows resistance to these attempts of systematisation, it should not be banished from linguistic theory as an unscientific phenomenon. Vecsey argues that the explanatory technique of reverse engineering, which has already been effectively used in the research practices of logic and mathematics, brings theoretical legitimacy to the term of reference.

By: Zoltán Vecsey
Imprint: Lexington Books
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 236mm, Width: 158mm, Spine: 24mm
Weight: 517g
ISBN: 9781666969627
ISBN 10: 1666969621
Series: Philosophy of Language: Connections and Perspectives
Pages: 226
Publication Date: 15 September 2024
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Zoltán Vecsey is research fellow at the MTA-SZTE-DE Research Group for Theoretical Linguistics and Informatics.

Reviews for The Autonomy of Reference: On the Relational Structure of Nominals

""The Autonomy of Reference is an informed and thought-provoking investigation on the epistemological status of the claim that proper names and other nominals are semantically related to the world, i.e., that they refer to someone or something. On the one hand, it challenges (Chomskyan) internalists about the dispensability of the concept of (semantic) reference within theoretical linguistics. On the other hand, it argues against externalists that the concept resists systematic treatment. Zoltán Vecsey's original way out of the problem appeals to the technique of reverse explanation. Whatever one may think about the issue, I am certain that any scholar looking at language from a naturalistic perspective will find this a useful read.""