Abstract:
The thesis investigates the issue of speaker's and semantic reference to future objects. The conditions for each type of reference are developed by using some aspects of the descriptivist and causal theories of reference, and causal theory of knowledge. In the frameworks of the theories considered, a requirement of causal connection with the object the speaker refers to is suggested. Another requirement associated with successful act of referring is the ability of the speaker to form de re beliefs about the object in question. So, in determining the conditions for speaker's reference to future objects the possibility of having causal connection with and de re cognitive attitudes about future objects is discussed.
