Language and scientific explanationThis book discusses the two main construals of the explanatory goals of semantic theories. The first, externalist conception, understands semantic theories in terms of a hermeneutic and interpretive explanatory project. The second, internalist conception, understands semantic theories in terms of the psychological mechanisms in virtue of which meanings are generated. It is argued that a fruitful scientific explanation is one that aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms in virtue of which the observable phenomena are made possible, and that a scientific semantics should be doing just that. If this is the case, then a scientific semantics is unlikely to be externalist, for reasons having to do with the subject matter and form of externalist theories. It is argued that semantics construed hermeneutically is nevertheless a valuable explanatory project. |
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acceptance according aims answer approach argues argument belief Burge Chomsky claim clear cognitive combined computational concepts concerned construct course Cummins Davidson determine Devitt discussion distinction Earth emphasis in original environment example explanation explanatory expressions externalism externalist externalist theories fact Fodor follows formal give grammar hermeneutic Horwich humans I-language individualism interface internalism internalist semantics interpretation kind knowledge laws leading Lepore linguistics matter mechanisms in virtue mental mental representations Merge mind natural language Noam object Oxford particular person philosophers Pietroski position possible Press problem processes production properties psychological Putnam questions reason reference regard relations remarks Riemer scientific scientific explanation semantic theory sense sentence shows Soames sort speakers structure syntax takes theoretical theory of meaning things thought tions true truth conditions Twin underlying understanding understood University utterance