PHILOSOPHY OF SEMANTICS 1. CLASSICAL DESCRIPTIVISM Martin Stokhof June 14, 2011
OVERVIEW Main topic today: classical descriptivism sketch of the background of classical formal semantics survey of some of the questions that are raised by it Classical formal semantics: ± Montague-style semantics main ingredients: natural language syntax in the form of some production system higher-order (type-theoretical) formal language intensional, model-theoretic semantics for FL indirect semantics for NL, via explicit translation from NL into FL
HISTORICAL INGREDIENTS (1) Question: what has constituted semantics historically? From philosophy: Fregean heritage: meaning-platonism & anti-psychologism compositionality of NL classical mentalism: connection between NL-meaning and epistemological notions (belief, knowledge, perception, etc) some elements from phenomenology: distinction between noema and noesis methodological individualism
HISTORICAL INGREDIENTS (2) From logic: toolbox: formal languages and model-theoretic semantics logical systems (distinction semantics - validity) inference systems architecture: semantics as systematic account of form - meaning relation compositionality ideology: universalism: principles of NL-semantics apply to all NLs
HISTORICAL INGREDIENTS (3) From linguistics: methodology: use of abstractions/idealisations in definition of core concepts, such as: language, competence use of intuitions as main data channel/test bed ideology: linguistics as part of cognitive psychology/human biology Note: tension between Fregean and Chomskyan influences vis à vis the relation between semantics and the mind
SYSTEMATIC FEATURES (1) Separation of meaning and reference (conceptual content and extension): non-actuality of reference: meaningful false statements, counterfactuals, nonexisting objects epistemological analogue: epistemic fallibility meaning as reference-determining: the functional primacy of reference compositionality of meaning and of reference; meaning atomism
SYSTEMATIC FEATURES (2) Descriptive character of meaning: cf. Frege s analysis of identity statements: meaning is objective (intersubjective) meaning determines referent meaning determines cognitive content hence: three roles for meaning: semantic: determine what an expressions is about epistemological: determine what gets expressed metaphysical: determine essence of what expression refers to
SYSTEMATIC FEATURES (3) Individual character of competence: meaning as an individual asset communication as calibration of individual cognitive states Introspective methodology: meaning is introspectively accessible for competent speaker (internalism) hence: semantics as formal explication of semantic competence Non-contextual character of meaning: Fregean Thoughts as eternal objects: problem of indexicality dominance of synchronic perspective (structuralism) competence as idealisation: no room for social-cultural-historical dimensions
SYSTEMATIC FEATURES (4) Literal meanings as core phenomenon: publicly available, shared, determined by linguistic system non-literal (aspects of) meaning: derived hierarchical relation semantics pragmatics system independent from use Communication as execution of competence: competence as internal, inaccessible system: Jackendoff s mind mind problem successful communication presupposes complete understanding
STRONG POINTS Systematic relation between meaning information world: cf. the three roles for meaning: semantic epistemological metaphysical allows explanation of the distinctive role of language as characteristic feature of human cognition Formal structure: systematic relation form (syntax) meaning (semantics) compositionality as explanation of creativity (infinity) Implementations: useful in: NL human machine interfaces, machine translation, NL query systems, etc note: mainly at the structural, not at the lexical level
WEAK POINTS Distinction: internal problems: descriptive inadequacies, limited applicability external criticisms: philosophical objections (e.g., ontological exuberance, epistemological externalism, contextualism) formal considerations (e.g., computational intractability) Putnam in his 1974 paper The Meaning of Meaning : Traditional philosophy of language, like much traditional philosophy, leaves out other people and the world; a better philosophy and a better science of language must encompass both.
WEAK POINTS: CONTENT (1) The role of nature: direct reference: (part of) meaning determined by nature (natural kind terms) (part of) meaning determined along historical dimension (proper names) (part of) meaning not introspectively accessible externalism as alternative The role of the community: division of linguistic labour causal chains
WEAK POINTS: CONTENT (2) The role of culture: historical & social situatedness of meaning conceptual relativism, hermeneutics The cognitive connection: fine-grainedness of meanings, the logical omniscience problem: mismatch between the meanings of semantics and reasonable models of actual cognitive behaviour the problem of novelty Embodiedness: the disembodied subject vs. the groundedness of mental and other vocabulary in bodily experience
WEAK POINTS: METHODOLOGY Introspective methodology: semantic facts in the Cartesian theatre: the sceptical threat ( semantic solipsism ) the lack of normativity unbounded appeal to ideolectal variation Competence and the mind mind problem no account for connection with actual interpretative practices Platonism mentalism as a false dilemma
ABSTRACTION & ITS PRESUPPOSITIONS Observation: semantics attempts to define its subject matter by means of abstraction Questions: What presuppositions make the abstraction process possible? What is the nature of the outcome of the abstraction process? What is the nature of the resulting discipline?
PREVIEW Meeting 2: the distinction between grammatical form and logical form the use of formal languages in natural language semantics Meeting 3: radical interpretation and literal meaning Meeting 4: literal meanings and context minimalism and contextualism Meeting 5: normativity and methodological individualism