Aspects of a theory of singular reference : prolegomena to a dialectical logic of singular terms

Originally published in 1985. This study concerns the problem of treating identity as a relation between an object and itself.

It addresses the Russellian and Fregean solutions and goes on to present in the first part a surfacist account of belief-context ambiguity requiring neither differences in relative scope nor distinctions between sense and reference.

The second part offers an account of negative existentials, necessity and identity-statements which resolves problems unlike the Russell-Frege analyses.

This is a detailed work in linguistics and philosophy.