Title page for ETD etd-3334201599622881

Type of Document

Master's Thesis

Author

Richardson, Jason

URN

etd-3334201599622881

Title

Meaning, Functions, and the Promise of Indicator Semantics

Degree

Master of Arts

Department

Philosophy

Advisory Committee

Advisor Name	Title
Valerie Hardcastle	Committee Chair
James Klagge	none
Joseph Pitt	none

Keywords

dretske
meaning
functions
indication
audio localization

Date of Defense

1996-07-19

Availability

unrestricted

Abstract

In this thesis, I first present Fred

Dretske's theory of mental represent-

ations, which purports to show how a

physical thing could have (non-derived)

meaning. In order to illustrate the

applicability of the theory to an actual

physical system, I discuss the theory in

relation to two theories of audio

localization (i.e., the capacity to locate

the source of sounds in one's

environment). Having clarified the

theory, I examine two charges laid

against it. Lynne Rudder Baker charges

the theory with circularity. Her charge is

refuted by appealing to the concept of a

"standby function." Stephen Stich

charges the theory with vagueness. His

charge is refuted by appealing to a

general analysis of functions. I conclude

that a careful use and analysis of the

previously unanalyzed term "function"

makes possible the refutation of these

two charges.

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