F. Recanati Mental Files

Through the years, François Recanati has developed a large and coherent picture of language and thought, integrating semantics and pragmatics, and subscribing to direct reference without giving up the connection between semantics and cognition. To that picture, his latest book adds an account of singular thoughts. Singular thoughts are relational,[1] are indexically presented, and (their vehicles) refer to what they gain information from via that epistemically rewarding relation. Perceptual acquaintance is the paradigm case of an epistemically rewarding relation. The vehicles of singular thoughts are mental files, into which the information gained -- which needs not be veridical -- is stored. Mental files are the vehicles of singular thoughts, as words are the vehicles for expression.