This book investigates the perennial problems of reference and singular terms by proposing a novel account of singular thought through the lens of speech act theory. Kent Bach, a prominent philosopher of language, utilizes a systematic framework to separate the underlying issues of reference into distinct levels of analysis. By integrating a partial revival of Bertrand Russell's analysis of singular terms with contemporary linguistic theory, the author constructs a rigorous argument for how singular thoughts are structured and communicated.

Experts in the philosophy of language recognize this text as a significant contribution to the ongoing debate regarding singular reference and cognitive content. Readers frequently note the technical density of the prose, which is intended for an audience familiar with analytic philosophy and formal semantics.