Abstract

RAMIREZ-MOTOA, Camilo. About rabbits and other geometric figures. The problem of referential indeterminacy in Fodor's semantic theory. discus.filos [online]. 2019, vol.20, n.34, pp.165-184. ISSN 0124-6127.  https://doi.org/10.17151/difil.2019.20.34.9.

This article examines the argument advanced by Fodor to neutralize Quine's problem of referential indeterminacy, showing that there are substantial problems with its premises and the conclusion that it intends to bring forward. Eventually, it will be shown that the mistakes in Fodor's argument indicate that there is a systematic indeterminacy in his semantic theory. Finally, the causes of this referential indetermination, in terms of a conceptual commitment with an extensional criterion identity for perceptual states that his informational semantics supposes, are analyzed.

Keywords : Reference; semantic externalism; referential indetermination; informational atomism; principle of extensionalist input.

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