Naming and Necessity

Naming and Necessity by Saul Kripke, first published in 1980 based on a series of lectures delivered in 1970, is a groundbreaking work in the philosophy of language and metaphysics. In this seminal text, Kripke challenges traditional theories of reference and meaning, reshaping discussions around proper names, identity, and necessity.

Kripke introduces the notion of rigid designators—terms that refer to the same object in all possible worlds—and argues that proper names function as such. He critiques descriptivist theories of meaning, which claim that names derive their meaning from associated descriptions, and instead advocates for a causal theory of reference. Kripke also explores the nature of necessity and contingency, drawing distinctions between a priori and a posteriori knowledge and between necessary and contingent truths.

Renowned for its clarity and intellectual rigor, Naming and Necessity has had a profound impact on contemporary philosophy, influencing debates in metaphysics, epistemology, and linguistics. It remains essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of language, reference, and the metaphysical underpinnings of identity and necessity.

Product Details:

• ISBN: 0631128018
• EAN: 9780631128014
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
  
• Binding: Paperback
• Copyright Date: 1998
• Pub Date: March 01, 2003
• Physical Info: 1.52 cms H x 21.34 cms L x 13.72 cms W (0.25 kgs), 192 pages