Many take the description theory of reference for proper names to be
dead in the water. Contrary to this view, Language, Names, and
Information defends a version of the description theory from a
perspective on language that sees words as a wonderful source of
information about the nature of the world we live in. Indeed, the book
is as much about the implications of this perspective for discussions of
meaning and reference in general as it is for the particular topic of
names. Representation and information, two-dimensionalism about content,
the role of possible worlds and centered worlds, the distinction between
what is metaphysically possible and what is conceptually possible, and
rigidity - all make their appearances as required by the informational
perspective on language.
Frank Jackson is visiting professor in Philosophy at Princeton
University and holds a fractional appointment as distinguished professor
at The Australian National University. Jackson is a corresponding fellow
of the British Academy and the author of several books and papers on a
wide range of topics in analytical philosophy.
