Keith Donnellan

Keith Donnellan was a philosopher known for his work in reference theory, which explores how language connects to the world. He distinguished between "referential" and "attributive" uses of definite descriptions. For example, in saying "The author of Waverley is brilliant," if one is pointing to Sir Walter Scott’s identity, it's referential; if describing a person fitting that title without specific reference, it's attributive. Donnellan's ideas challenge traditional views, emphasizing that the way we use language can shape meaning, highlighting the importance of context in understanding references to people or things.