This book investigates the fundamental mechanisms of singular thought and the perennial philosophical problems surrounding reference and singular terms. Kent Bach, a philosopher specializing in the philosophy of language, utilizes a systematic application of speech act theory to re-examine how language connects to the world. By distinguishing between different levels of analysis, the author provides a framework that revives and updates Russellian perspectives on how individuals think about and refer to specific objects.

Experts in the philosophy of language recognize this work as a significant contribution to the study of reference and intentionality. Readers frequently note the technical density of the prose, which is intended for an academic audience familiar with analytic philosophy.