"Saul Kripke's classic lectures, Naming and Necessity, changed the way we think about reference and intentionality, but itremains controversial just what the basic lesson of his work shouldbe. In this book, Frank Jackson, with his characteristic clarity ofmind and down-to-earth style of argument, articulates the view thatKripke's insights and arguments can be reconciled with a version ofthe description theory that were the focus of his attack. Jacksonclarifies the terrain by putting the issue in the wider context ofthe role of language in the exchange of information. Much of whathe says is persuasive, and all of it is challenging, stimulatingand clarifying."
--Robert Stalnaker, Massachusetts Institute ofTechnology
Language, Names, and Information
von Frank JacksonLanguage, Names, and Information is an importantcontribution to philosophy of language by one of its foremostscholars, challenging the pervasive view that the descriptiontheory of proper names is dead in the water, and defending aversion of the description theory from a perspective on languagethat sees words as a wonderful source of information about thenature of the world we live in.
* Challenges current pervasive view that the description theoryof reference for proper names has been refuted
* Discusses several topics at the center of current debates, including representation and information, two-dimensionalism, possible worlds, and broad vs. narrow content
* Maintains the conversational and somewhat informal tone of theoriginal lectures upon which the book is based
