Introduction

In the introduction, Davidson sets out the plan for the book. The book has five chapters. Chapter 1 is called “About Propositions.” There, Davidson discusses some of the different roles that propositions are thought to play. Chapter 2 is called “Propositions as Structured Entities.” In it, Davidson sets out and motivates his theory of structured propositions and defends it from objections. Chapter 3 is entitled “Anti-realism About Structured Propositions.” There, Davidson critically examines the views of those who think that propositions are structured entities that depend fundamentally on human cognitive or linguistic activity. Chapter 4 is called “Singular Propositions.” In Chapter 4, Davidson canvases different accounts of singular propositionhood and defends a novel account of singular propositions. Chapter 5 is entitled “Negative Existentials.” There, Davidson considers various arguments to the conclusion that there can be no true negative existential sentences. He also considers an argument for existentialism and an argument that existentialism entails qualitative differences between worlds.