Seeing‐in and Singling Out: How to Reconcile Pictures with Singular Thought. (1st June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Terrone, Enrico
• Is Part Of: Pacific philosophical quarterly. Volume 102:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 378
• Page End: 392
• Publication Date: 2021-06-01
• Subjects: Philosophy -- Periodicals; 105
• DOI: 10.1111/papq.12366
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0279-0750

Abstract

Abstract: According to the standard view of pictorial reference, a picture produces singular thought in virtue of both its appearance and its history. Zeimbekis (2010) challenges this view, arguing that the perception of the picture's appearance does not contribute to the production of singular thought. The paper defends the standard view from Zeimbekis' challenge, specifying the roles of appearance and history in pictorial reference. While knowledge about the picture's history allows one to identify the standpoint from which to see the scene depicted, the perception of the picture's appearance exploits that standpoint to single out individuals in that scene.