Theories of Meaning

How Fundamental is the Fundamental Assumption?

by Nils Kürbis

published in Teorema XXXI/2 (2012), pp.5-19.

The fundamental assumption of Dummett’s and Prawitz’ proof-theoretic justification of deduction is that ‘if we have a... more The fundamental assumption of Dummett’s and Prawitz’ proof-theoretic justification of deduction is that ‘if we have a valid argument for a complex statement, we can construct a valid argument for it which finishes with an application of one of the introduction rules governing its principal operator’. I argue that the assumption is flawed in this general version, but should be restricted, not to apply to arguments in general, but only to proofs. I also argue that Dummett’s and Prawitz’ project of providing a logical basis for metaphysics only relies on the restricted assumption.

Can computational simulations of language emergence support a 'use' theory of meaning?

by Whit Schonbein

No. No.

Gruesome Diagonals

by Laura Schroeter

Philosophers' Imprint 2003

Argues that 2D semantics cannot simultaneously fulfill two different roles: determining reference and capturing... more Argues that 2D semantics cannot simultaneously fulfill two different roles: determining reference and capturing plausible conditions of linguistic or conceptual competence.

Two-Dimensional Semantics and Sameness of Meaning

by Laura Schroeter

In this survey article, I focus on whether 2D semantics can fully capture the epistemic and semantic phenomena that... more In this survey article, I focus on whether 2D semantics can fully capture the epistemic and semantic phenomena that seem central to individuating meanings. After outlining the motivations for 2D semantics as a response to externalist thought experiments, I argue that the approach faces an internal tension in fully vindicating the traditional role of meaning. I contrast the 2D theory's broadly descriptivist approach to meaning individuation with a relational approach.

Two-Dimensional Semantics and Sameness of Meaning

by Laura Schroeter

In this survey article, I focus on whether 2D semantics can fully capture the epistemic and semantic phenomena that... more In this survey article, I focus on whether 2D semantics can fully capture the epistemic and semantic phenomena that seem central to individuating meanings. After outlining the motivations for 2D semantics as a response to externalist thought experiments, I argue that the approach faces an internal tension in fully vindicating the traditional role of meaning. I contrast the 2D theory's broadly descriptivist approach to meaning individuation with a relational approach.

Empathy and Epistemology: A Quinean Perspective

by Antti Keskinen

Submitted to Mind & Language (in April 2012)

According to W.V. Quine, linguistic expressions he calls observation sentences constitute the link between language... more According to W.V. Quine, linguistic expressions he calls observation sentences constitute the link between language and world. Quine argues that the use and the ostensive learning of observation sentences depends on empathy, the ability to understand what another subject is perceiving. In this paper, Quine’s attribution of empathy to prelinguistic children and his view of the role of their empathy in early language acquisition is discussed in the light of recent psychological research. Quine also gives a theoretical analysis of empathizing in terms of perception attributions. Quine’s analysis of empathizing is shown to involve serious problems. An alternative account of empathizing is proposed.

Il n’y a pas de rapport sexuel: The Irresolvability of the Gadamer-Habermas Debate

by William J. Urban

class paper written Good Friday, April 6, 2012

"Re-reading Hegel: Meaning and Subjectivity in the Phenomenology of Spirit"

by William J. Urban

class paper written December 1, 2011

H. G. Callaway (with J. van Brakel) (1996). No Need to Speak the Same Language? Review of Ramberg, Donald Davidson's Philosophy of Language. Dialectica, (1996) Vol. 50, No.1, pp. 63-71.

by H.G. Callaway

The book is an “introductory” reconstruction of Davidson on interpretation —a claim to be taken with a grain of salt.... more The book is an “introductory” reconstruction of Davidson on interpretation —a claim to be taken with a grain of salt. Writing introductory books has become an idol of the tribe. This is a concise book and reflects much study. It has many virtues along with some flaws. Ramberg assembles themes and puzzles from Davidson into a more or less coherent viewpoint. A special virtue is the innovative treatment of incommensurability and of the relation of Davidson’s work to hermeneutic themes. The weakness comes in a certain unevenness. While generally convincing and well written, the book has low points which may leave the reader confused or unconvinced. Davidson is the hero in this book, and our hero is sometimes over idealized.

Meaning Holism and Semantic Realism, Dialectica (1992) Volume 46, Issue 1, pages 41–59.

by H.G. Callaway

Reconciliation of semantic holism with interpretation of individual expressions is advanced here by means of... more Reconciliation of semantic holism with interpretation of individual expressions is advanced here by means of interpretation of sentence meaning in relation to object language theories viewed as idealizations of belief-systems. Fodor's view of the autonomy of the special sciences is emphasized and this is combined with detailed replies to his recent criticisms of meaning holism. The argument is that the need for empirical evidence requires a holistic approach to meaning. Thus, semantic realism requires semantic holism. (Abstract slightly modified for clarity.)

Dynamic and Static Prototype Vectors for Semantic Composition

by Siva Reddy

Harmony, Normality and Stability

by Nils Kürbis

As the title says: my account of proof-theoretic harmony, normality and stability!

Gentzen mentions that it should be possible to specify a function that maps introduction rules onto elimination rules... more Gentzen mentions that it should be possible to specify a function that maps introduction rules onto elimination rules in systems of natural deduction. This paper specifies such a function. I specify two kinds of rules, one in which it is more natural to assume an introduction rule to be given and elimination rules are determined from it, and another kind in which it is an elimination rule which is given and the introduction rules are determined from it. The process also works the other way round, so that it doesn't really matter which rules are supposed to be given first. The process is very general and applies to a large class of logics. The paper begins with a discussion of the philosophical importance of this in connection with the notion of harmony. I discuss Dummett's ideas on harmony and stability, which is supposed to be stronger than harmony. Dummett suggests that normalisability is a formal criterion of harmony. However, he seems to aim at something else, and this criterion does not give an independent formally precise notion of stability. I propose formally precise definitions of harmony and stability, which are distinct from normalisability. My aim is not exegetical, and according to my definitions, classical as well as intuitionist logics count as governed by stable (and hence harmonious) rules of inference.

The multimedia semantic gap (NASS 2011)

by Michael May

Michael May: The multimedia semantic gap - a constructive approach from cognitive semiotics. Abstract for presentation to Seventh Conference of the Nordic Association for Semiotic Studies (NASS 2011), 6-8 May 2011, Lund, "Towards a Cognitive Semiotics".

Author and his meaning: Hirsch's critique of Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics

by Saša Radojčić

The Semantics of 'Good'

by Dean Pettit

The meaning of ‘good’ has long been a topic of philosophical interest. Much of the philosophical literature has aimed... more The meaning of ‘good’ has long been a topic of philosophical interest. Much of the philosophical literature has aimed to understand the semantics of ‘good’ within predicative and attributive constructions. In these constructions, ‘good’ has often been understood to predicate some property or concept (or family thereof), though this view has been challenged by non-cognitivists. Relatively little attention has been given to a range of syntactic constructions ‘good’ occurs in that are characteristic of modal adjectives, such as ‘necessary’ and ‘possible’. The present paper argues that these constructions are more revealing as to the semantics of ‘good’. The central thesis will be that ‘good’ is a modal adjective with a distinctive modal semantics that, rather than merely quantifying over possible worlds, sets up comparisons between worlds. This constitutes both a novel approach to the semantics of ‘good’ and a novel species of modality. The predicates ‘good’ occurs in have a derivative modal semantics that applies to objects by construing them as occupying a particular role within worlds that the semantics can compare.

Pluralism and the Logical Basis of Metaphysics

by Nils Kürbis

A paper I gave at Logica 2006.

„WHERE IS REALITY?” Photographic Trace and Infinite Image in Gábor Bódy’s Film Theory

by Izabella Füzi

Published in Acta Univ. Sapientiae, Film and Media Studies, 1 (2009), 35-46.

The article deals with the question of indexicality and the nature of cinematic signification drawing upon the terms... more The article deals with the question of indexicality and the nature of cinematic signification drawing upon the terms of Gábor Bódy’s film theory. The trace-like character of cinema is investigated through the medium-specific possibilities of the moving image and the gap inscribed between human perception and the inhumanity of the medium. Both the photographic and the cinematic trace are subject to infinite interpretation due to the inaccesibility of the trace as trace and its transformation into a meaningful sign. Instead of minimal units, cinematic language is based on the logic of seriality and can be interpreted on different levels of meaning attribution. Serial meaning is emphasized as a site where images can enter in endless relations to each other. Finally, Bódy’s theoretical work can be interpreted as a proposal to redefine the status of the image in cinematic signification. Bódy’s short or experimental films are used as examples and realizations of his theoretical considerations.

Image and event in recent Hungarian film (The Man from London, Delta, Milky Way)

by Izabella Füzi

Published in Orientation in Occurrence, ed. by István Berszán. Cluj-Napoca, 2009. 331-341.

The article deals with the visual dimensions of narrative film as a site of the film in which new forms of event can... more The article deals with the visual dimensions of narrative film as a site of the film in which new forms of event can emerge. The descriptions of narrative and spectacle as opposing forces cannot account for the event character of the visual component. Through three recent Hungarian films the article points out a shift which indicates the weakening of narrative (causal, motivational) structures and the foregrounding of a temporality different from the time of the story. In The Man from London (Béla Tarr, 2008), Delta (Kornél Mundruczó, 2008), and The Milky Way (Benedek Fliegauf, 2007) aspects of visuality create meanings on different levels (the mechanistic autonomy of the camera, and seriality of frames, the relation between the setting and characters, and dynamics of what is outside and inside the frame) outside, in opposition to, or alongside the narrative dimension of the film.

The Limits of Conceptual Analysis

by Laura Schroeter

(2004) Pacific Philosophical Quarterly 85.

Argues that conceptual analysis is committed to an implausible type of epistemic foundationalism. Argues that conceptual analysis is committed to an implausible type of epistemic foundationalism.

Symbole w działaniu. Akademickie konteksty nurtu symbolicznego w antropologii

by Jarema Drozdowicz