Confusion of tongues : a theory of normative language / Stephen Finlay.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Finlay, Stephen (Professor), author.

Series:

Oxford moral theory.

Oxford moral theory

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Standard language--Philosophy.

Standard language.

Pragmatics.

Normativity (Ethics).

Meaning (Philosophy).

Psycholinguistics.

Linguistic analysis (Linguistics).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (viii, 278 pages).

Other Title:

Theory of normative language

Place of Publication:

Oxford : Oxford University Press, [2014]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Can normative words like 'good', 'ought', and 'reason' be defined in entirely non-normative terms? This book argues that they can, advancing an end-relational theory of the meaning of this language as providing the best explanation of the many different ways it is ordinarily used. Whereas it is widely maintained that relational theories cannot account for the special features of moral and deliberative uses of these words, this book argues that the end-relational theory accommodates these features systematically on the basis of a single fundamental principle of conversational pragmatics.

Contents:

1. Introduction

2. A Good Word to Start With

3. The Probable Meaning of 'Ought'

4. Explaining Reasons

5. Pragmatics and Practicality

6. Multiple Ends

7. Categorical and Final

8. A Disagreeable Problem

9. Conclusion.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on online resource; title from home page (viewed on March 24, 2014).

Other Format:

Print version

ISBN:

0-19-934751-4

0-19-934749-2