Subjects, predicates, isomorphic representation, and language games
pp. 351-364
in: Esa Saarinen, Risto Hilpinen, Ilkka Niiniluoto, Merrill Provence Hintikka (eds), Essays in honour of Jaakko Hintikka, Berlin, Springer, 1979Abstract
This paper attempts to investigate whether we could in any meaningful way say of predicate expressions (whether monadic or relational) that they refer and, if they refer, what their reference could be. In semantics based on model theory (e.g., of Carnap's state-descriptions or Hintikka's model-sets), there are entities to which predicate expressions correspond (Carnap's attributes, Hintikka's predicates). What kind of entities are they?