Indexicals and essential demonstrations release_rretrwhekjflpl4eb36nfuoiua

by Carlo Penco

Published in Semiotica: Journal of the International Association for Semiotic Studies by Walter de Gruyter GmbH.

2021   Volume 2021, Issue 240, p261-284

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> In this paper, I discuss some of Maximilian de Gaynesford's arguments regarding indexicals. Although I agree with his treatment of the first singular personal pronoun as a prototype of demonstrative expressions, I challenge his refusal to treat indexicals as complex demonstratives. To offer an alternative to this refusal I try to develop a common ground from different theories that consider indexicals as linguistic constructions that embed a nonlinguistic element, following an original idea in Frege's latest writings. These views form the backdrop on which we can put forward the claim of treating all indexicals as complex demonstratives. In the central part of the paper, I criticize each of de Gaynesford's arguments against the reduction of indexicals to complex demonstratives. Besides, I propose a new definition of the concept of "demonstration" as a nonlinguistic feature of all indexicals in their referential uses, to contrast de Gaynesford's rejection of the idea that demonstrations are an essential feature of indexicals. Eventually, I strengthen my claim by distinguishing indexicals from proper names and definite descriptions on the ground that only perceptual indexicals necessarily require an accompanying demonstration. However, the main point of the paper is a negative one, that is the rejection of de Gaynesford's arguments against the reduction of indexicals to complex demonstratives. More work is needed to reach a positive conclusion on this topic.
In application/xml+jats format

Archived Files and Locations

application/pdf  621.0 kB
file_tc3g7buvazcvjku4ighxxzec5y
www.degruyter.com (publisher)
web.archive.org (webarchive)
Read Archived PDF
Preserved and Accessible
Type  article-journal
Stage   published
Date   2021-03-02
Language   en ?
Journal Metadata
Not in DOAJ
In Keepers Registry
ISSN-L:  0037-1998
Work Entity
access all versions, variants, and formats of this works (eg, pre-prints)
Catalog Record
Revision: f0fa2ed1-626a-4078-a380-4a8e6edb185e
API URL: JSON