Gideon Makin - Metaphysicians of Meaning: Russell and Frege on Sense and Denotation (International Library of Philosophy)

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The Metaphysicians of Meaning

Bertrand Russell and Gottlob Frege are universally acknowledged as the founding fathers of Analytic Philosophy. Russells essay On Denoting and Freges On Sense and Reference propose theories which are arguably their authors most remarkable contributions to philosophy. Both remain at the forefront of contemporary discussion in philosophy of language and philosophical logic.

The Metaphysicians of Meaning takes a fresh look at these two seminal essays, challenging much of the accepted understanding of them. It forces us to reconsider their authors grounds for advancing them which, as Gideon Makin argues, have been generally misunderstood. Why did Russell and Frege abandon their former theories? What, in their views at the time, were the theoretical alternatives and reasons for adopting these new solutions? Even when these questions have been clearly distinguished they have received only partial answers.

Through a careful and historically sensitive examination of key passages in both essays, as well as of earlier workin Russells case including material published only recentlyMakin offers new perspectives on both theories. He proposes that Russells and Freges deliberations concerning key notions such as proposition, sense and thought are a novel form of doing metaphysics, and not of circumventing it by shifting attention to language. He also argues that these are inseparable from their authors occupation with the logicist enterprise in the philosophy of mathematics. Finally, the volume concludes that the shared ground between Russell and Frege is far greater than their differences.

The Metaphysicians of Meaning presents new insights into Russell and Frege and offers a new comparative discussion of their work. It will be essential reading for all students of philosophy of language and logic.

Gideon Makin is Research Fellow at Wolfson College, University of Oxford.

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International Library of Philosophy

Edited by Jos Bermdez, Tim Crane and Peter Sullivan

Advisory Board: Jonathan Barnes, Fred Dretske, Frances Kamm, Brian Leiter, Huw Price and Sydney Shoemaker

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The Metaphysicians of Meaning

Russell and Frege on sense and denotation

Gideon Makin

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Russell and Frege on sense and denotation

Gideon Makin

London and New York

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First published 2000
by Routledge
11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE

Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada
by Routledge
29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001

Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group

This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2003.

2000 Gideon Makin

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in
any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing
from the publishers.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Makin, Gideon, 1954
The metaphysicians of meaning: Russell and Frege on sense and denotation/Gideon Makin.
p. cm.(International library of philosophy)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Meaning (Philosophy) 2. Russell, Bertrand, 18721970. 3. Frege, Gottlob,
18481925. I. Title. II. Series.
B840.M29 2000
121.680922dc21 00055320

ISBN 0-203-47098-2 Master e-book ISBN

ISBN 0-203-24267-X (OEB Format)

ISBN 0-415-24225-8 (hbk)

ISBN 0-415-24226-6 (pbk)

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