RUSSELL: On Denoting | Theory of Definite Descriptions Explained

Do you want regular philosophy lessons with me? I have limited spaces available to take on private students online. To find out more, email me on drnathanhawkins@ and tell me what you are interested in. One of Russell’s major contributions to modern logic is his theory of descriptions as outlined in his landmark article: On Denoting. Russell argues that descriptions do not denote objects directly, but instead apply to a generic ’something’ that fits the description. This allows him, he claims, to solve some puzzles that had plagued philosophy for centuries. His approach has become standard practice in classical logic since. This video is an introduction to a reasonably advanced, but highly interesting topic. It should be helpful for both those that find philosophy interesting and philosophy students alike. It provides a potential reply to arguments such as the ontological argument for the existence of God, and also helps to shed light on some conventions of modern logic.