Intuitions on Semantic Reference

Abstract Since Machery et al. Cognition 92, B1-B12 (2004) attacked Kripke’s refutation of classical descriptivism, their experiment has been repeated several times, in its original version or some revised ones, by theorists with contrasting intents. Some the for confirming results, others proving them unreliable. One striking characteristic those surveys is that they mostly replicated data collected al.’s B1-B12, 2004 experiment: less than 60% Westerners showed preference causal-historical response. We side critics experiment. In this paper, we present results a survey tests hypotheses explaining percentage Westerners’ preferences without taking it as evidence more 40% have descriptivist intuitions on semantic reference. The aim our paper not merely to question reliability sections 4 and 5 assess impact current debate experimental semantics. provide novel account nature epistemic ambiguity affects experiments theory reference explain consequences subsequent works trying avoid ambiguities.