The Gray's Elegy Argumentに対する一つの解釈

Abstract

In "On Denoting" Russell criticizes Frege's meaning (Sinn) and denotation (Bedeutung). His point is that if we accept these concepts in expressions such as definite descriptions we cannot find a logical relationship between them. But this argument, known as The Gray's Elegy Argument, is so awkward that it is difficult to fully grasp what Russell's meansing. This essay is an attempt to interpret this argument. Many viewpoints can be used to interpret it. One way is to judge whether this argument is correct as a criticism of Frege's meaning and denotation; another is to give a valid interpretation with the help of contemporary logic. But in this essay, attention is paid to how this argument functions as a component of "On denoting". We can find in his paper that Russell's theory about denoting phrases is justified in terms of its usefulness: it provides us with a way to solve an ontological problem, an interesting difference between knowledge through acquaintance and knowledge through description and a method to analyze the mind. We can apply this characteristic in "On denoting" to the interpretation of The Gray's Elegy Argument. Namely, we can see this argument as an attempt to show how complicated and pointless Frege's meaning and denotation are in comparison with Russell's theory, rather than to give a decisive argument against Frege. This interpretation has a particular strength. We are aware that Russell's philosophy often changes as he detects fault in previous thought or finds a sound theory that solves a problem and provides a sufficient basis for constructing a worldview. As such, one of the important point when reading Russell is that, acknowledging that Russell's philosophy is on the process of development, we note the reason for his having the theory or thought instead of ascertaining whether or not they are right in themselves. The Above interpretation matches this feature of Russell's philosophy.