True or False
In this paper I attempt to explain Strawson's 'neither true nor false' argument against Russell's theory of descriptions. In order to explain this I will first give the relevant parts of Russell's theory of descriptions that Strawson addresses as having problems. Then I will give Strawson's theory of descriptions. Finally I will compare the two theories showing where the arguments differ, and why Strawson believed there was a problem with Russell's theory. After giving Strawson's conclusion I will then assess Strawson's argument stating whether or not it was successful.In Russell's theory of descriptions he addresses a problem that arises in finding the truth value of certain sentences. Consider the following statement; "The director of E.T. is tall." In order for the sentence to meet the requirements of truth conditions the sentence has to have the ability to be shown true or false. Then the object of reference must hold a certain relation. So in the example if the director of E.T. is tall then sentence is true. However, if the director of E.T. is not tall then the sentence is false. Yet what happens when there is no object of reference at all. In line with the following example, what happens if there is n
However, if there does not exist a director of E. However what happens when someone utters a sentence but is unable, for whatever reason, to make clear exactly which salient unique object is being referred to. We must consider the sentence not as it is, but we must convert it, and instead think of it existentially. Strawson thinks Russell's application of truth value to sentences is wrong because one does not know what unique object is being referred to in the sentence. I see that my friend is pointing to the great basketball player Dominique Wilkins. Since the sentence fails to identify a salient unique object the sentence is false. All in all Strawson's problem with Russell is that Russell says that sentences are true or false, but truth value can not be applied to sentences. Now having given what I believe is an account of Strawson's "neither true nor false" argument against Russell's theory of descriptions, and also shown the conclusion, I will assess Strawson's case. Russell states that given a sentence like, "the director of E. Russell's theory provides us with a way to over come the need to find a unique salient object of reference in order to decide the truth value of certain sentences. The problems start right away with a difference between what Russell thinks is a sentence and what Strawson does.
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Acceptance Essays
