The Problem of Desctiptivism and Anti-Descriptivism about Meaning and its Consequences for The Problem of Conscioussness

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Kazemi Oskooei, Abbas | 2016

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Type of Document: M.Sc. Thesis
Language: Farsi
Document No: 50027 (42)
University: Sharif University of Technology
Department: Philosophy of Science
Advisor(s): Azadegan, Ebrahim
Abstract:
This MA dissertation is dedicated to the introduction and discussion of David Chalmers’ neo-Fregean account of the semantics of linguistic terms like proper names and natural kind terms and the consequences of these discussions for the problem of consciousness. Chalmers’ neo-Fregean framework which he calls “The Two-Dimensional Semantics” is developed to defend a neo-Fregean account of the meaning of linguisting terms while acknowledging the insights of Kripke’s criticisms of the crude Fregean view. In the first chapter I will introduce Frege’s original view and Kripke’s famous attacks on that view. In the second chapter, Chalmers’ two-dimensional semantics will be introduced. In chapter three I will discuss two objections to this framework. Finally, in chapter four, I will discuss the bearing that Kripke’s view and Chalmers’ view will have on the problem of consciousness and the mind-body problem. In light of the criticisms that we will see in chapters three and four, my assessment of Chalmers’ project is that it is not a successful one and views like Soames’ Kripkean view are preferred
Keywords:
Semantics ; Meaning ; Reference Theory ; Semantic Awareness ; Two-Dimensional Semantics ; Descriptirism ; Primary Intensions

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