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Q4.

"The golden mountain is very high." Discuss this statement in the context of Russell's theory of descriptions.

How to Approach

The answer should begin by defining Russell's Theory of Descriptions (RTD) and its primary motivation: addressing the problem of non-referring expressions without positing the existence of non-existent entities. Then, explicitly analyze the statement "The golden mountain is very high" using the three components of Russell's analysis of definite descriptions. Conclude by highlighting the implications of this analysis for the truth-value and ontological commitments of such statements.

Model Answer

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Introduction

Bertrand Russell's Theory of Descriptions (RTD), introduced in his seminal 1905 essay "On Denoting," revolutionised the philosophy of language by offering a sophisticated analysis of sentences containing definite descriptions. Its primary aim was to resolve long-standing philosophical puzzles, particularly how sentences involving non-referring expressions could still be meaningful and even true, without committing to the existence of imaginary or non-existent objects. Prior to RTD, philosophers like Meinong posited a realm of "being" for such entities, which Russell vehemently rejected. The statement "The golden mountain is very high" serves as a classic example to illustrate RTD's mechanism for dissecting such propositions.

Russell's Theory of Descriptions and Non-Existent Entities

Russell's Theory of Descriptions provides a method for analyzing sentences that contain definite descriptions (phrases of the form "the F") by translating them into existential statements. This analysis avoids the problematic assumption that such phrases refer to an actual existing entity, especially when that entity is fictional or non-existent.

Analysis of "The golden mountain is very high"

According to Russell, the sentence "The golden mountain is very high" is not a simple subject-predicate statement where "the golden mountain" refers to a specific object about which a property ("is very high") is predicated. Instead, it is a complex proposition that asserts three things:

  • Existence: There exists at least one entity 'x' such that 'x' is a golden mountain.
  • Uniqueness: There exists at most one entity 'x' such that 'x' is a golden mountain. (i.e., there is exactly one golden mountain).
  • Predication: Whatever is a golden mountain is very high.

When we apply this analysis to "The golden mountain is very high," we evaluate each component:

  • Existence: Is there at least one golden mountain? No, there are no golden mountains in reality. This assertion is false.
  • Uniqueness: Is there at most one golden mountain? This condition is vacuously true if there are no golden mountains, but becomes moot because the existence condition fails.
  • Predication: Is whatever is a golden mountain very high? This question doesn't even arise meaningfully if the subject doesn't exist.

Since the first conjunct (existence) is false, the entire conjunction "There is one and only one golden mountain, and it is very high" becomes false. This demonstrates how Russell's theory handles sentences about non-existent entities. The sentence is meaningful because its components (the predicates 'is golden mountain' and 'is very high') are meaningful, but it is false because the existence condition for the definite description is not met. It does not require us to believe in the existence of a golden mountain in some metaphysical realm for the sentence to be intelligible or to possess a truth-value.

Implications of Russell's Analysis

Russell's approach effectively solves what he called the "problem of non-denoting expressions" by showing that definite descriptions are not referring expressions like proper names. They are "incomplete symbols" that only have meaning in the context of a proposition. This avoids ontological commitment to non-existent objects, preserving the idea that logic and language should primarily refer to the real world.

Conclusion

In the context of Russell's Theory of Descriptions, the statement "The golden mountain is very high" is logically analyzed as a complex existential claim rather than a simple subject-predicate assertion. By breaking it down into claims of existence, uniqueness, and predication, Russell demonstrates that while such statements are perfectly meaningful, they are false because no such entity as a "golden mountain" exists. This ingenious analysis liberated philosophy from the necessity of positing non-existent entities for the sake of semantic coherence, establishing a rigorous framework for understanding how language functions even when it refers to the fantastical or the absent.

Answer Length

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Additional Resources

Key Definitions

Definite Description
A linguistic phrase of the form "the F" (e.g., "the current King of France," "the golden mountain") which appears to refer to a unique individual, but which, according to Russell, is an "incomplete symbol" that does not refer in isolation but is analyzed contextually.
Incomplete Symbol
A term used by Russell to denote expressions (like definite descriptions) that do not have meaning in isolation but only acquire meaning when embedded within a complete proposition, as their "meaning" is their contribution to the truth-conditions of the sentence.

Examples

The Present King of France

Russell famously used the sentence "The present King of France is bald" to illustrate his theory. Since France is a republic and has no king, the existence condition of the description ("there is a present King of France") is false, making the entire proposition false, without needing to assume a non-existent King of France.

Pegasus Does Not Exist

Prior to RTD, saying "Pegasus does not exist" was problematic: if Pegasus doesn't exist, what is the statement about? Russell's theory analyzes "Pegasus" as a disguised definite description (e.g., "the winged horse of Greek mythology"). The statement then translates to "It is not the case that there exists a unique winged horse of Greek mythology," which is true and logically sound.

Frequently Asked Questions

▶What problem was Russell trying to solve with the Theory of Descriptions?

Russell was primarily addressing the problem of non-referring expressions and propositions about them. Philosophers like Alexius Meinong argued that for us to talk about non-existent things (like the golden mountain or the round square), these things must have some form of "being," even if they lack "existence." Russell found this metaphysically extravagant and sought a way to preserve the meaningfulness and truth-value of such statements without committing to non-existent objects.

▶How does Russell's theory differ from Frege's approach to definite descriptions?

Gottlob Frege distinguished between the "sense" (meaning) and "reference" (denotation) of an expression. For Frege, definite descriptions always have a sense, but may lack a reference (e.g., "the King of France"). If a sentence contained a description without a reference, it would lack a truth-value. Russell, on the other hand, argued that definite descriptions do not refer at all; instead, they are contextually defined out of the sentence, ensuring every meaningful sentence has a truth-value without positing non-existent referents.

Topics Covered

Analytic PhilosophyRussellTheory of DescriptionsLogic
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