The Inessential Indexical: On the Philosophical Insignificance of Perspective and the First Person

Herman Cappelen (University of St Andrews),Josh Dever (University of Texas at Austin)

The Inessential Indexical: On the Philosophical Insignificance of Perspective and the First Person
Format
Paperback
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Country
United Kingdom
Published
14 December 2015
Pages
210
ISBN
9780198748168

The Inessential Indexical: On the Philosophical Insignificance of Perspective and the First Person

Herman Cappelen (University of St Andrews),Josh Dever (University of Texas at Austin)

When we represent the world in language, in thought, or in perception, we often represent it from a perspective. We say and think that the meeting is happening now, that it is hot here, that I am in danger and not you; that the tree looks larger from my perspective than from yours. The Inessential Indexical is an exploration and defense of the view that perspectivality is a philosophically shallow aspect of the world. Cappelen and Dever oppose one of the most entrenched and dominant trends in contemporary philosophy: that perspective (and the perspective of the first person in particular) is philosophically deep and that a proper understanding of it is important not just in the philosophies of language and mind, but throughout philosophy. They argue that there are no such things as essential indexicality, irreducibly de se attitudes, or self-locating attitudes. Their goal is not to show that we need to rethink these phenomena, to explain them in different ways. Their goal is to show that the entire topic is an illusion–there’s nothing there. The Context and Content series is a forum for outstanding original research at the intersection of philosophy, linguistics, and cognitive science. The general editor is Francois Recanati (Institut Jean-Nicod, Paris).

This item is not currently in-stock. It can be ordered online and is expected to ship in approx 4 weeks

Our stock data is updated periodically, and availability may change throughout the day for in-demand items. Please call the relevant shop for the most current stock information. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Sign in or become a Readings Member to add this title to a wishlist.