ABSTRACT

This chapter seeks to establish that Russell Bertrand fails to recognise the category of the sortal. Russell recognises as basic categories of symbol, complete symbols and incomplete symbols, and within these categories differentiates between simple complete symbols and complex complete symbols: simple incomplete symbols and complex incomplete symbols. The chapter illustrates that for Russell definite descriptions are incomplete symbols, it has yet to be shown that definite descriptions qua incomplete symbols are precluded from playing an identifying role. It establishes that Russell fails to recognise the category of the sortal and also discusses the task of working out particular difficulties for, and consequences of, his position. Russell cannot hold the thesis that it is contingent that his particulars fall under any description: he has to hold that it is necessary that his particulars fall under no description, for descriptions are themselves analysed out in terms of logically proper names.