
Contents
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1. The Naïve Theory 1. The Naïve Theory
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1.1. Some terminology 1.1. Some terminology
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1.2. The basics of the Naïve Theory 1.2. The basics of the Naïve Theory
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1.3. An Attribute-Oriented Naïve Theory of general terms 1.3. An Attribute-Oriented Naïve Theory of general terms
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1.4. A variant on the Naïve Theory: the Extended Millian Theory 1.4. A variant on the Naïve Theory: the Extended Millian Theory
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2. Empty General Terms and the Naïve Theory 2. Empty General Terms and the Naïve Theory
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3. The Gappy Proposition Theory 3. The Gappy Proposition Theory
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4. Objections to the Gappy Proposition Theory 4. Objections to the Gappy Proposition Theory
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5. Truth-Values and the Gappy Proposition Theory 5. Truth-Values and the Gappy Proposition Theory
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6. Fictional Objects 6. Fictional Objects
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7. Mythical Objects 7. Mythical Objects
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8. Fictional Attributes 8. Fictional Attributes
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9. Mythical Attributes 9. Mythical Attributes
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10. Reflections on the Metaphysics of Fictional and Mythical Objects and Attributes 10. Reflections on the Metaphysics of Fictional and Mythical Objects and Attributes
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11. Critique of the Salmonian Semantic Theory 11. Critique of the Salmonian Semantic Theory
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12. A Salmonian Objection and a Reply 12. A Salmonian Objection and a Reply
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13. Critique of the Kripkean Semantic Theory 13. Critique of the Kripkean Semantic Theory
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14. Belief and Hypotheses 14. Belief and Hypotheses
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15. Conclusion 15. Conclusion
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References References
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Cite
Abstract
This chapter discusses certain semantic problems raised by ‘witch’, ‘unicorn’, and other general terms that seem to apply to nothing. It also discusses issues about belief and other attitudes raised by speakers who use such terms. More precisely, it considers a series of objections to a well-known semantic theory, the Naïve Theory. This theory says (roughly) that the meaning of any general term is a property. ‘Witch’ and ‘unicorn’ raise problems for this theory because they are general terms that (arguably) do not express properties. After presenting the objections, the chapter critically evaluates two theories of these terms that are consistent with the Naïve Theory (or modest revisions of it). It argues that each theory correctly describes the semantics of some terms in some speakers’ languages. However, there is some indeterminacy about which theory is correct for other speakers’ languages. The chapter explores the consequences of these views for belief.
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