A Study on Proper Names and Singularity Based on Meaning Eliminativism

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25370437
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Linguistics
• Research Institution: Waseda University (2014-2016); Atomi University (2013)
• Principal Investigator: Sakai Tomohiro 早稲田大学, 文学学術院, 准教授 (00396839)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 固有名詞 / 単称性 / 非存在言明 / 単文のパズル / 同一性言明 / 捉え方 / 個体 / 個体の局面

Outline of Final Research Achievements

I constructed a theory on proper names which is compatible with (1) as well as (2). (1) Proper names are given to individuals, i.e. the least abstract entities in the world. Accordingly, the singularity as represented by proper names constitutes a lower-level concept. (2) Only human beings can recognize Superman and Clark Kent as one and the same individual, despite their drastically different properties. Accordingly, the singularity as represented by proper names constitute a higher-level concept. In most cases, individuals are recognized through their properties. In understanding identity statements such as "Superman = Clark Kent", however, we must posit an individual which is defined independently from the properties exhibited by its aspects. This is the source of the ambivalent characterizations of individuals.

Free Research Field

言語学