The act-type theory of propositions as a theory of empty names

Thomas William Strickland Hodgson (Shanxi University, Uniwersytet Gdański)

The next meeting of the Sign-Language-Reality seminar in the academic year 2025/26 will take place:  

Thursday, the 4th of December 2025, 17.00, Central European Time  

Thomas Hodgson

(University of Gdansk/Shanxi University)

will deliver a talk:  

The act-type theory of propositions as a theory of empty names

Abstract:

I compare the recently popular act-type theory of propositions, as proposed by
Hanks, to the more traditional neo-Russellian and neo-Fregean theories. I focus
on the solution that each theory gives to the problem of empty names. I argue
that the act-type theory is committed to claims that make it significantly less
attractive than the other theories. More specifically, the additions that Hanks
makes to the core ideas of the act-type theory in order to account for empty
names make the theory overall less satisfying than a representative example of
the neo-Fregean theory. I propose that one solution is to adopt a no-proposition
theory of empty names.

The seminar will be held online, to join the meeting, please use the information below:

Join Zoom Meeting  https://uw-edu-pl.zoom.us/j/92716044372?pwd=0l7PETAOwqQDBKTMCnheYQN7ag7zx1.1

Meeting ID: 927 1604 4372 Passcode: 697648   The meeting opens at 4:45 pm, the talk starts at 5 pm.   

https://www.pts.edu.pl/seminarium