Contexts, Non-specificity, and Minimalism
نویسنده
چکیده
Atlas (2007) argues that semantic minimalism (as defended by Cappelen & Lepore 2005) fails because it cannot deal with semantic non-specificity. I argue that there is a plausible version of minimalism—viz., situated minimalism—which doesn’t succumb to the non-specificity charge insofar as non-specificity can be dealt with at a postsemantic level. Thus, pragmatics plays no role when it comes to determining the (minimal) proposition expressed. Instead, pragmatic and other extra-semantic considerations enter the scene in characterizing the situation vis-à-vis which the proposition is evaluated. For this reason a plausible form of minimalism must embrace a form of truth-relativism: a proposition is not universally true/false, but true/false only relative to a situation. I show how the position defended is not only (i) more cognitively plausible than either (semantic) minimalism as proposed by Cappelen & Lepore or the positions appealing to pragmatic intrusion into the proposition expressed, but is also (ii) in accordance with ordinary people’s intuitions.
منابع مشابه
مطالعه پنج اثر منتخب از سفال نیشابور مربوط به قرون 2 تا 4 هـ.ق. در تطبیق با اندیشههای هنر مینیمال
Among multiple discovered Nishapur pottery works of 9th to 11th century AD, there are samples which differ from the others in aesthetic aspects. Their creators may have followed other aesthetic rules presumably. In these cases, there are not lots of ornamentation, vibrant colors and prevalent motifs of their period. And also empty spaces and a kind of stillness play an important role in them un...
متن کاملThe or That: Definite and Demonstrative Descriptions in Second Language Acquisition
Since Heubner's (1985) pioneering study, there have been many studies on (mis) use/ non-use of articles by L2 learners from article-less and article languages. The present study investigated how Persian L2 learners of English produce and interpret English definite descriptions and demonstrative descriptions. It was assumed that definite and demonstrative descriptions share the same central sema...
متن کاملMinimalism in human-computer interaction: development of a focused perspective on usability processes and design products
Minimalism is a concept used in many different literatures ranging from arts to mathematics. Developing a notion of minimalism for human-computer interaction and applying this notion to the products and processes of usability engineering efforts yields an alternative viewpoint. Minimalism lays ultimate value on freedom for the user; the interface grows through reduction. This attitude is inhere...
متن کاملSubstitution as a Device of Grammatical Cohesion in English Contexts
The present study set out to investigate the effect of teaching substitution as a kind of grammatical cohesion on the true identification of confusing substitution elements with cohesive or non-cohesive roles in different contexts and also the production of modal, reporting and conditional contexts through clausal substitution acquaintance. To this end, the following procedures were taken. Firs...
متن کاملMinimalism – a Design Game?
The challenge of designing “Simple Computing in an Age of Complexity” emphasizes the simple within the complex, focusing on the contradiction between the urge for ‘ease of use’ and the need for system complexity. Design must bridge this gap and make the complex appear simple – less is more. So far, many will agree. But, what exactly is the meaning of ‘less’ and ‘more’ in ‘less is more’, a less ...
متن کامل