Reference in Formal Semantics and Natural Language: A Methodological Route

Abstract

In this paper, I will tackle the notion of reference of singular terms in the light of a classic analytic divide, i.e. whether its analysis, like the analysis of other basic notions, should be carried out in natural language or in the semantics of formal frameworks. I will incline toward the latter strategy, and consider reference in classical first-order logic as the simplest framework in which to investigate reference.

Keywords

• reference
• arbitrariness
• formal languages
• natural language