Research On Russell’s Theory Of Denoting

There are three chapters in this dissertation. The1^thchapter named “TheDenoting theory of Terms”, which will explain Russell′s point-view of denotingduring1898to1903. Russell′s theory of denoting was discussed in the logicalmeaning, for what interested Russell most was not the philosophy but the logic andmathematics. Russell firstly used the word “denoting” to express his thought whichwas different from the others’. According to the logic, the word “denoting” standsfor the relationship between different terms, especially the relationship between theconcept and the non-concept terms. The2thchapter named “the Theory ofDescriptions”, which will focus on what Russell did to patch the theory discussed inthe1^thchapter in1905s. The theory discussed in the Principles of Mathematics hadgive rise to some difficulties, which shows that the old theory is not coherent enough.Fortunately, he found a theory named the theory of descriptions to solve theseproblems, which allow him patching the old theory but not changing it. By histechnical analysis, Russell stated that these difficulties would be unavoidable if weregard denoting phrases, which has the property of denoting, as standing for genuineconstituents of the propositions they occur. He claimed that the denoting phrasescould not denote anything, which could make the theory of denoting coherent enough.The3thchapter named “the Denoting theory of Names”, which will examine thechanges of Russell′s view about denoting around1910. Epistemology and therelationship between the words and the world attracted him deeply, which awoke himfrom the logical enthusiasm. Therefore he tried to find some approaches using theanalytical method to discuss the relationship between the language and the world.Russell′s theory of denoting was stated clearly by answering this question:”what areproper names?” Firstly, Russell showed that the descriptions were not proper names,and then the ordinary names were also not proper names and finally pointed out thatthe “logical proper names” were the real proper names. With the development of hisepistemology, Russell gradually could not affirm what were the real proper names. Hesometimes held that the proper names could not exist, while sometimes insisted the ordinary proper names were the real proper names. Russell admitted that he did notfocus on philosophy for a long time. Especially after1910, Russell devotedcontinuously to education and peace and the other social affairs, which can explainwhy his theory was vague after1910s. However, Russell′s theory of denoting isextremely technical and can be treated as a whole.This dissertation is focus on discussing Russell′s view of denoting during hislogical investigation, which shows that Russell is a philosopher of great originality. Atthe beginning, Russell stated the new theory of denoting by a new technical method,and then found some way to patch the original theory, and finally got an utterlydifferent theory of denoting. By using the terms and methods of symbolic logic,Russell concerned about terms in logical sense. Though he did not continue hisresearch on logic and mathematics after1910s, Russell had been always thinking thatthe most important method in investing philosophy questions is analysis. As a result,Russell is regarded as one of the most important philosophers of analyticalphilosophy.Russell is a philosopher full of controversy. Many people misunderstood him andcriticized his thought when Russell was alive, and after he died, many people engagedin a verbal battle about his philosophy. Russell is a respectable wise man and shouldbe considered as one of the brightest star in our repository of wisdom. His thoughtshould be respected and understood appropriately. This dissertation is a Russellianpaper, and the primarily purpose is to defend Russell′s philosophy by giving anexactly full description of his thought. There are some refutations, according toRussell′s words, about some misunderstandings. I believe that it is of greatimportance to understand Russell′s view exactly and comprehensively.