Quine on Analyticity

Abstract

Quine's views on analyticity and related intensional notions fall naturally into two parts. First, there is his critical attack on the intelligibility of the intensional terminology. Second, there is his positive articulation of a view of language which dispenses with intensional notions. Whether it finally succeeds or not, each part taken separately has its initial plausibility. What I propose to argue, however, is that if we take both of these parts together, then difficulties emerge. Specifically, I propose to argue that if Quine's positive view of language is correct, then his arguments against the intelligibility of the intensional terminology cannot succeed. Further, that if his arguments against the intelligibility of the intensional terminology succeed, then his positive view of language cannot be correct. The relevant features of the view Quine is arguing against are these.