Two theories of names

Two semantic theories of proper names are explained and assessed. The theor ies are Burge's treatment of proper names as complex demonstratives and Lar son and Segal's quasi-descriptivist account of names. The two theories are evaluated for empirical plausibility. Data from deficits. processing models , developmental studies and syntax are all discussed. It is concluded that neither theory is fully confirmed or refuted by the data, but that Larson a nd Segal's theory has more empirical plausibility.