The problem of cognitive significance - a solution and a critique

Abstract

In this paper I will deal with the solution to the problem of cognitive significance offered by the so-called new theorists of reference, as well as with the critique of that solution given by Howard Wettstein. I will claim that the answer to this critique provided by John Perry is not sufficiently convincing. First, I will clarify some relevant concepts in order to present the problem of cognitive significance in a clear manner. Then I will expose the solution to the problem offered by Perry and David Kaplan. After that, I will present Wettstein’s critique of that solution. Subsequently, I will also analyze Perry’s attempt to defend against this critique. Finally, I will discuss the extent to which Perry’s attempt is successful. It will be shown that it is significantly not so.

Keywords

• cognitive significance
• proposition
• referent
• thought
• sense
• character
• semantics
• pragmatics