Call for Papers: Synthese Topical Collection “120 Years of Russell’s ‘On Denoting’”: https://link.springer.com/collections/bcecggjfjb
Guest Editor: Nils Kürbis, Ruhr University Bochum, University of Lodz, University College London Topical Collection Description: The topical collection celebrates the 120th anniversary of the publication of Bertrand Russell’s ‘On Denoting’ (Mind Vol. 14, No. 56 (Oct., 1905), pp. 479-493). The anniversary presents an occasion not simply to celebrate the work but to assess its continued relevance. The collection aims at engaging with its innovations from today’s perspective. ‘On Denoting’ is famous for the Theory of Definite Descriptions, and infamous for the Grey’s Elegy argument, but it also contains other themes, such as the distinction between knowledge by acquaintance and by description. The collection aims at covering all aspects of ‘On Denoting’. ‘On Denoting’ is amongst the best known and most widely cited articles of analytic philosophy. Yet comparatively few philosophers have read the whole paper, and even fewer will recall any details beyond the theory of definite descriptions. Russell’s theory of definite descriptions shows that not every expression needs to be treated as what it appears to be: despite appearance, definite descriptions ‘the F’ are not singular terms. ‘On Denoting’ thus inaugurated the project of logical analysis. It stood at the beginning of Russell’s development of his mathematical logic. From the logical perspective, it has been hugely successful. Many agree with Ramsey that the theory of definite descriptions is a paradigm of philosophy. But the other topics covered in ‘On Denoting’ have also been of central importance to analytic philosophy. One aim of the collection is to remind generalists of the many gems to be found in ‘On Denoting’ besides the theory of definite descriptions, another to provide an opportunity to specialists to probe further into all aspects of this paper. For generalists and specialists alike, its anniversary provides an opportunity to look again at ‘On Denoting’. What philosophical lessons can still be gleaned from it? In what ways have we definitely made progress beyond it? Appropriate topics for submission include, among others: * the import of Russell’s Theory of Descriptions for current work on the semantics of descriptive phrases. * Does the programme of logical analysis inaugurated by ‘On Denoting’ (via the notion of an incomplete symbol) still have any relevance? * Does the notion of an incomplete symbol still have any relevance? * Ought we to take seriously the idea that the ‘surface grammar’ of an expression might obscure its logical role? * Does the ‘Grey’s Elegy argument’ argue in an interesting way for an interesting conclusion? * What can be learnt from the distinction between knowledge by acquaintance and by description? Is it evident? Flawed? Salvageable? * What are the neglected aspects of ‘On Denoting’ that repay study? Papers are required to have a significant relation to Russell’s discussions in ‘On Denoting’ and, as Synthese does not publish purely historical papers, a significant systematic aspect. For further information, please contact the guest editor(s): nils.kur...@filhist.uni.lodz.pl<mailto:nils.kur...@filhist.uni.lodz.pl> The deadline for submissions is 31.08.2025 Submissions via: https://www.editorialmanager.com/synt/default.aspx Nils Kürbis -- [LOGIC] mailing list, provided by DLMPST More information (including information about subscription management) can be found here: http://dlmpst.org/pages/logic-list.php
