Abstract

The goal of this paper is to discuss Russell’s Theory of Denoting Concepts, mainly to see clearly why he adopted it and, especially, why he abandoned it. With regard to TDC, I detect three kinds of problems: ontological (the denotation of empty denoting concepts), logical (the infinite regress of meaning in the case of denoting concepts) and epistemological (the relation between denoting concepts and acquaintance). I will not consider here the first point, but only the last two. The chapter will be thus divided into two main parts: in the first part I will present the inner logical difficulty of TDC, whereas in the second part I will discuss the connection of denoting concepts with the Principle of Acquaintance.