Discourse contextualism : a framework for contextualist semantics and pragmatics / Alex Silk.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Silk, Alex, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Contextualism (Philosophy).

Discourse analysis.

Semantics.

Pragmatics.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (vii, 255 pages)

Edition:

First edition.

Other Title:

Framework for contextualist semantics and pragmatics

Place of Publication:

Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2016.

Summary:

Alex Silk investigates the role of context in the meaning and use of natural language. Discourse Contextualism provides a systematic account of the distinctive ways in which speakers use context-sensitive expressions to coordinate their attitudes and negotiate about how the context should evolve.

Contents:

Machine generated contents note: 1. Introduction: CR-Expressions and Discourse Contextualism

pt. I Discourse Contextualism: An Application to Epistemic Modals

2. Accommodation and Negotiation with Context-Sensitive Expressions

2.1. Epistemic Modals and Discourse Disagreement

2.2. Insufficient Replies

2.2.1. Varieties of Linguistic Denial. Metacontextual Negotiation

2.2.2. Epistemic Modals in a Language Game

2.2.3. Recap

2.3. Accommodation and Negotiation with Paradigm Context-Sensitive Expressions

2.4. Way Forward

2.5. Managing the Context: Toward Discourse Contextualism

3. Discourse Contextualism I: Epistemic Modals in Discourse

3.1. Components 1 and 2: From Formal Semantics to Interpretive Constraints

3.2. Component 3: Using Epistemic Modals. The Basic Account

3.3. Features

3.3.1. Justified Use

3.3.2. Locus of Disagreement

3.3.3. Discourse-Oriented Effects

3.3.4. Expressing States of Mind

3.3.5. Expressive vs. Intuitively Contextualist Uses

3.3.6. Anaphoric Properties. Contextual Underspecification

3.3.7. Recap

3.4. More Data: Retraction and Eavesdroppers

3.4.1. Retraction

3.4.2. Eavesdroppers and Inter-Conversational Disagreement

3.5. Aside: Presupposition and Epistemic Modals

3.5.1. "Assuming" Values for Variables?

3.5.2. Presupposition and Non-Monotonic Updates

3.5.3. Presupposition of Commonality?

3.6. Truth

3.7. Recap

4. Discourse Contextualism II: How to Embed an Epistemic Modal

4.1. Embedding Problems

4.1.1. First-Order States of Mind

4.1.2. Obligatory Shifting

4.1.3. Epistemic Contradictions

4.1.4. Inferences

4.1.5. Factive Attitudes

4.2. Embedding Solutions

4.2.1. First-Order States of Mind

4.2.2. Obligatory Shifting

4.2.3. Epistemic Contradictions

4.2.4. Inferences

4.2.5. Factive Attitudes

4.2.6. Recap

4.3. Aside: Contextualism and Relativist Content

4.4. Challenge Revisited: Epistemic Modals and Paradigm Context-Sensitive Expressions

4.5. Recap

pt. II Discourse Contextualism: Extensions

5. Extension I: Deontic Modals

5.1. Introduction

5.2. Deontic Modals in Discourse

5.2.1. Contextualism about Deontic Modals

5.2.2. Agreeing and Disagreeing with Normative Language

5.2.3. Discourse Contextualist Account

5.2.4. Features

5.2.5. Uncertainty and Indecision in Normative Inquiry

5.2.6. Recap

5.3. Embedded Contexts and Normative Thought

5.3.1. Attitudes and Attitude Ascriptions

5.3.2. CR-Contradictions?

5.4. Realism and Normative Truth

5.5. Recap

5.6. Information-Sensitivity

6. Extension II: Gradable Adjectives and Degree Vagueness

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Gradable Adjectives in Discourse

6.2.1. Standards and Scoreboards

6.2.2. Discourse Dynamics

6.2.3. Attitude Ascriptions

6.2.4. Recap

6.3. Vagueness as Contextual Indecision

6.3.1. Sorites

6.3.2. Vagueness, Meaning, and Use

6.3.3. Logic, Metaphysics, and Epistemology of Vagueness

6.3.4. Vagueness in Language and Thought

6.4. Conclusion

6.4.1. Beyond Gradable Adjectives

6.4.2. Higher-Order Vagueness

6.4.3. Vagueness and Degree Semantics

7. Extension III: Predicates of Personal Taste and Evaluation

7.1. Three Sources of Context-Sensitivity

7.2. Matters of Taste in Discourse and Thought

7.3. Vagueness with PPTs

7.4. Adjectives of Normative and Epistemic Evaluation

7.5. Taste and Normative Evaluation

7.6. `Find' and "Subjectivity"

7.7. Recap.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

0-19-182657-X

0-19-108652-5