In this paper we give some suggestions from etymology on the contrast between Kaplan’s direct reference theory and a neo-Fregean view on indexicals. After a short summary of the philosophical debate on indexicals (§1), we use some remarks about the hidden presence of a demonstrative root in all indexicals to derive some provisional doubts concerning Kaplan’s criticism of what he calls “sloppy thinker” (§2). To support those doubts, we will summarise some etymological data on the derivation of the so-called “pure (...) indexicals” from an original demonstrative root (§ 3). The aim of the paper is to consider etymological data as providing evidence for alternative theories of language and fostering new directions in linguistic and philosophical research on specific topics. (shrink)

This paper proposes a critical synthesis about different theories of time in physics and a new interpretation of its operational reality. We built it on two, deeply analyzed, fundamental ideas: the mathematical nature of Newtonian and relativistic time and the consequent need to build physical theories of time starting from the measurements obtained by real clocks. We observe that relativistic theories refer to axiomatic assumptions about clocks, probably not verified by experiments if we use clocks of different construction. We propose (...) the concept of evolutionary internal time and we conclude that a new interpretation of the nature of physical time should arise from a deep and accurate reflection about the rate of clocks. We believe that this approach to the question could open new theoretical perspectives about the evolution of physical systems. (shrink)

Starting from a critical analysis of the clock effect, this paper proposes to deduce different operational definitions of time from the different clocks that we can use to quantify durations. A new interpretation of thermodynamic time, as different from absolute and relativistic, is introduced. The analysis leads to infer the coexistence in physics of different incommensurable operational definitions of time and the need of discuss their coherence and reality.