Boo semantics: Radical nonfactualism and non truth-conditional meaning
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Stefano Predelli
Abstract
This essay discusses a semantics for Radical Nonfactualism, a non-cognitivist approach to normative expressions. Its scope is explicitly and exclusively semantic: my aim is not that of intervening in the (considerable) meta-ethical debate about the tenability and desirability of this or that version of non-cognitivism. I rather choose Radical Nonfactualism because of its characteristic semantic properties - which are, in turn, of philosophical interest primarily due to their ‘intermediate’ position between the truth-conditional and the ‘pragmatic’ dimensions. I start with a comparison with expressives (as in an old-fashioned ‘boo-hurray’ theory of normative predicate), and eventually develop Radical Nonfactualism on the model of (but with important differences from) the apparatus for non truth-conditional meaning I put forth in my 2013 book Meaning Without Truth.
Abstract
This essay discusses a semantics for Radical Nonfactualism, a non-cognitivist approach to normative expressions. Its scope is explicitly and exclusively semantic: my aim is not that of intervening in the (considerable) meta-ethical debate about the tenability and desirability of this or that version of non-cognitivism. I rather choose Radical Nonfactualism because of its characteristic semantic properties - which are, in turn, of philosophical interest primarily due to their ‘intermediate’ position between the truth-conditional and the ‘pragmatic’ dimensions. I start with a comparison with expressives (as in an old-fashioned ‘boo-hurray’ theory of normative predicate), and eventually develop Radical Nonfactualism on the model of (but with important differences from) the apparatus for non truth-conditional meaning I put forth in my 2013 book Meaning Without Truth.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter i
- Contents v
- Introduction 1
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Part 1: The contextual turn and the case for reference, truth-conditions and meaning
- Open texture and schematicity as arguments for non-referential semantics 13
- Full but not saturated: The myth of mandatory primary pragmatic processes 31
- How to get lost in context: Searle on context, content and literal meaning 51
- Meaning and interpretation 75
- The role of context in semantics: A Relevance Theory perspective 91
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Part 2: The contextual turn and the case for language use
- Boo semantics: Radical nonfactualism and non truth-conditional meaning 117
- Metaphor and mercurial content 141
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Part 3: The contextual turn and the case of analysis
- Context, two-dimensional semantics and conceptual analysis 171
- The use of the Binding Argument in the debate about location 191
- Slices of meaning: Levels of analysis and the unity of understanding 213
- Contributors 227
- Index 229
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter i
- Contents v
- Introduction 1
-
Part 1: The contextual turn and the case for reference, truth-conditions and meaning
- Open texture and schematicity as arguments for non-referential semantics 13
- Full but not saturated: The myth of mandatory primary pragmatic processes 31
- How to get lost in context: Searle on context, content and literal meaning 51
- Meaning and interpretation 75
- The role of context in semantics: A Relevance Theory perspective 91
-
Part 2: The contextual turn and the case for language use
- Boo semantics: Radical nonfactualism and non truth-conditional meaning 117
- Metaphor and mercurial content 141
-
Part 3: The contextual turn and the case of analysis
- Context, two-dimensional semantics and conceptual analysis 171
- The use of the Binding Argument in the debate about location 191
- Slices of meaning: Levels of analysis and the unity of understanding 213
- Contributors 227
- Index 229
