The Study On Asheim's Intentional Reference Theory

The problem of reference is an important topic in linguistic philosophy,and many philosophers and logicians have participated in the discussions on it.As a new theory of direct reference based on the research of intentionality,Asheim's intentional reference theory responds suffienciently to the problem of reference.This paper takes Asheim's intentional reference theory as the object of the study,and intends to point out the meaning and inadequacy of the theory,through the discussion and analysis of it,in order to deepen the research on reference.The paper is divided into four parts:The first part points out the common claim of direct reference theory,and discusses the main contents and theoretical defects of the existing direct reference theories,with the aim of clarifying the background of Asheim's intentional reference theory.The second part discusses Asheim's analysis of there kinds of singular items,including descriptions,indexicals and proper names,elaborates the argumentation path of Asheim's intentional reference theory,and shows the overall appearance of it.The third part explains the problem-solving function of Asheim's intentional reference theory with two cases,and expounds the advantage of Asheim's intentional reference theory over the existing direct reference theories.The fourth part points out Asheim's error analysis of three kinds of single items,which exposes the defects and shortcomings of Asheim's intentional reference theory,and deeply dicuss the problems arising from purely intentional objects.Based on the research and analysis of Asheim's intentional reference theory,this paper argues that the theory solves the problem of reference failure and substitutivity failure,by the setting of purely intentional object,and depicts a new picture of direct reference theory.However,Asheim's intentional reference theory does not clarify the boundary between semantics and epistemology,puts too much emphasis on intentions of subjects in determining the reference of items,and regards purely intentional objects as real entities,which makes the theory specifically constructed and lack of rationality.