Critical notice of Language Turned on Itself, by Herman Cappelen and Ernie Lepore [Book Review]

Analytic Philosophy 52 (4):349-367 (2011)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

This is a lively, provocative book and many of its arguments are convincing. In this critical study I summarize the book, then discuss some of the authors’ claims, dwelling on three issues: their objections to the view of François Recanati on “pre-semantic” effects; the relation between their theory of quotation and the Tarskian “Proper Name Theory,” which they reject; and their treatment of mixed quotation, which rests on the claim that quotation expressions are “syntactic chameleons.” I argue that the objections to Recanati don’t expose any problem with his view, and that the “Proper Name Theory” has all the virtues of their own proposal. Finally I raise some queries about the technical apparatus of syntactic chameleonism.

Author's Profile

Mark McCullagh
University of Guelph

Analytics

Added to PP
2012-01-10

Downloads
574 (#25,554)

6 months
78 (#48,442)

Historical graph of downloads since first upload
This graph includes both downloads from PhilArchive and clicks on external links on PhilPapers.
How can I increase my downloads?