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A Deranged Argument Against Public Languages, Robert J. Stainton

Robert J. Stainton

My focus is Q: Are there really such things as public languages? I address an argument for a negative answer, extracted from Davidson’s “A Derangement of Epitaphs”. The argument appeals to an empirically attested phenomena, namely novelty and speech errors in successful conversational interactions, to show that knowledge of public language is neither necessary nor sufficient. Thus public languages have no explanatory role. Continues the idea, one should substitute in place of the convention-centric public language picture an alternative, with Prior and Passing theories. My first rebuttal is that there are senses in which knowledge of public language is necessary, …

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Perry, Wittgenstein's Builders And Metasemantics, Robert J. Stainton

Robert J. Stainton

The paper discusses in detail John Perry’s important article “Davidson’s Sentences and Wittgenstein’s Builders”. Perry argues, on the basis of Wittgenstein’s famous block/slab language, that words make direct metasemantic contact with the world. The present paper urges that, while Perry’s conclusions are correct and important, the arguments provided for them, in his 1994 article, ignore essential features of genuine words in natural language. A more empirically-oriented alternative tactic for supporting the same philosophical conclusions is then provided, and its advantages and disadvantages are weighed.

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Speaker Meaning And Davidson On Metaphor, Robert J. Stainton

Robert J. Stainton

No abstract provided.

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Full-Text Articles in Arts and Humanities

A Deranged Argument Against Public Languages, Robert J. Stainton

Robert J. Stainton

Perry, Wittgenstein's Builders And Metasemantics, Robert J. Stainton

Robert J. Stainton

Speaker Meaning And Davidson On Metaphor, Robert J. Stainton

Robert J. Stainton