The Causal Theory of Names
Gareth Llŷr Evans · 1996
Abstract In a paper which provides the starting-point of this enquiry Saul Kripke opposes what he calls the Description Theory of Names and makes a counter-proposal of what I shall call the Causal Theory. To be clear about what is at stake and what should be the outcome in the debate he initiated seems to me important for our understanding of talk and thought about the world in general as well as for our understanding of the functioning of proper names. I am anxious therefore that we identify the profound bases and likely generalizations of the opposing positions and do not content ourselves with counter-examples.