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VOL. 3, ISSUE 2 (2021)
Kripke’s revolution revisited: Challenges to rigid designation in contemporary semantics
Authors
Shiben Kumar Sarkar
Abstract
This review article reexamines Saul Kripke’s
seminal theory of rigid designation, first articulated in Naming and
Necessity, against the backdrop of semantic debates up to 2020. Kripke’s
distinction between rigid designators and non-rigid descriptions transformed
the philosophy of language by grounding direct reference, a posteriori
necessity, and essentialism for proper names and natural-kind terms. Yet work
in two‑dimensional semantics, experimental philosophy, scientific naturalism,
pragmatics, and modal logic has exposed persistent vulnerabilities. This
article critically surveys these challenges, arguing that while rigid
designation retains explanatory power for modal and referential stability, it
requires supplementation by descriptive, contextual, and framework‑relative
elements to address gaps in fiction, empty names, scientific essentialism, and
epistemic access. The analysis underscores the enduring legacy of Kripke’s
revolution while highlighting paths toward a more integrated semantic
framework.
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Pages:86-89
How to cite this article:
Shiben Kumar Sarkar "Kripke’s revolution revisited: Challenges to rigid designation in contemporary semantics". International Journal of Social Science and Humanities, Vol 3, Issue 2, 2021, Pages 86-89
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