From Analysis to Explication

André Carus (Chicago/Cambridge) gives a talk at the MCMP Workshop on Carnap titled "From Analysis to Explication". Abstract: Analytic philosophy was named for the "analysis" of propositions begun by Russelland Moore in the first years of the twentieth century, epitomized by the theory ofdescriptions.This style of analysis has been joined by many others since then. But they all share certain common defects, which are overcome by "explication," areplacement for all forms of analysis developed by Carnap in his later years.However, it was suggested by Quine, Dreben, and their students that Carnap's form ofexplication depends on metaphysical assumptions Quine dispensed with.It is arguedin this paper that this suggestion is based on misunderstandings, and thatexplication is preferable to analysis, especially since it offers a more plausible picture of philosophy.