This paper explores the hypothesis of a semantics for plurals with no atomic partial order defined on the domain of quantification, and thus no ontological distinction between singular and plural individuals. The idea is that the work usually done in the semantics by the atomic partial order is instead done by the syntax, which makes available to the semantics a phonologically covert sortal whi...

Margaret Gilbert explores the phenomenon referred to in everyday ascriptions of beliefs to groups. She refers to this type of phenomenon as “collective belief” and calls the types of groups that are the bearers of such beliefs “plural subjects”. I argue that the attitudes that groups adopt that Gilbert refers to as “collective beliefs” are not a species of belief in an important and central sen...