An Algorithmic Perspective on Denotation

An Algorithmic Perspective on Denotation The paper focuses on the algorithms we use for the discovery of denotations; these algorithms are built by exploiting clues contained in the expressions formulated in natural language. The paper analyzes examples from Russell's "On denoting" (1905). It stresses the idea that algorithms do not function as meanings. They must be considered from the perspective of the actions of the persons who use a natural language. In conclusion, the paper proposes a distinction between effective denotation, the output of an algorithm, and presumed denotation, the result of mere talk about linguistic clues.