Abstract
In this chapter, we introduce the class of expressions known as indexicals. These are expressions such as “I”, “you”, “here”, and “now” whose reference varies depending on their circumstances of use. We discuss the challenges these expressions raise for the theory of meaning as reference. We also introduce and discuss the descriptive theory of indexicals, whereby indexicals are to be regarded as descriptions in disguise. On the basis of several arguments, we will conclude that both the analysis of indexicals in terms of their reference and the analysis of indexicals as descriptions are empirically as well as conceptually unsatisfactory.
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Fiorin, G., Delfitto, D. (2020). Meaning and Indexicality. In: Beyond Meaning: A Journey Across Language, Perception and Experience. Perspectives in Pragmatics, Philosophy & Psychology, vol 25. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46317-5_21
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46317-5_21
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