8.4. Definite descriptions

8.4.0. Overview

Up to this point, we have analyzed definite descriptions only by identifying component individual terms; now we will consider two ways of analyzing them to identify the descriptions from which they are formed.

8.4.1. The problem of definite descriptions
When a term refers by way of a description, it will be undefined if nothing fits the description, and theories of the logical properties of definite descriptions must take account of this.

8.4.2. Definite descriptions as quantifier phrases
On one account of definite descriptions, the definite description the X is a quantifier phrase that differs from the phrase a X by adding the claim there is at most one X.

8.4.3. Definite descriptions as individual terms
On another analysis, definite descriptions are formed by an operation that applies to predicates to yield individual terms, and this yields a different account of their logical properties.

8.4.4. Examples: restrictive vs. non-restrictive relative clauses
The analysis of definite descriptions makes it possible to represent the distinction between restrictive and non-restrictive relative clauses in the case of definite descriptions.