The Autonomy of Reference
On the Relational Structure of Nominals
Seiten
2024
Lexington Books/Fortress Academic (Verlag)
978-1-6669-6962-7 (ISBN)
Lexington Books/Fortress Academic (Verlag)
978-1-6669-6962-7 (ISBN)
The Autonomy of Reference: On the Relational Structure of Nominals provides a new account of the relational structure of nominal reference. On this account, linguists are entitled to use reference as a full-blown technical term even if they can provide only a reverse-style explanation for this entitlement.
In The Autonomy of Reference: On the Relational Structure of Nominals, Zoltán Vecsey defends a moderate autonomy thesis concerning the explanatory status of nominal reference. The autonomy thesis is based on the observation that the relational term of reference exhibits a specific resistance to systematizing attempts. The resistance can be observed on two complementary fronts. On the one hand, reference cannot be introduced into the vocabulary of theoretical linguistics in a de novo manner because every reasonable introductory technique must be built on such expressions that are already functioning in a relational mode. On the other hand, and for similar reasons, the term cannot simply be removed from the vocabulary of theoretical linguistics because every reasonable technique of removal must be built on expressions that are still functioning in a relational mode. Although reference is an autonomous aspect of meaning, in that it shows resistance to these attempts of systematisation, it should not be banished from linguistic theory as an unscientific phenomenon. Vecsey argues that this explanatory technique of reverse engineering, which has already been effectively used in the research practices of logic and mathematics, brings theoretical legitimacy to the term of reference.
In The Autonomy of Reference: On the Relational Structure of Nominals, Zoltán Vecsey defends a moderate autonomy thesis concerning the explanatory status of nominal reference. The autonomy thesis is based on the observation that the relational term of reference exhibits a specific resistance to systematizing attempts. The resistance can be observed on two complementary fronts. On the one hand, reference cannot be introduced into the vocabulary of theoretical linguistics in a de novo manner because every reasonable introductory technique must be built on such expressions that are already functioning in a relational mode. On the other hand, and for similar reasons, the term cannot simply be removed from the vocabulary of theoretical linguistics because every reasonable technique of removal must be built on expressions that are still functioning in a relational mode. Although reference is an autonomous aspect of meaning, in that it shows resistance to these attempts of systematisation, it should not be banished from linguistic theory as an unscientific phenomenon. Vecsey argues that this explanatory technique of reverse engineering, which has already been effectively used in the research practices of logic and mathematics, brings theoretical legitimacy to the term of reference.
Zoltán Vecsey research fellow at the MTA-SZTE-DE Research Group for Theoretical Linguistics and Informatics.
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1 ‘Reference’ as a Basic Technical Term
2 The Externalist Reduction of Nominal Meaning to Reference
3 Rejecting Relationality: The Internalist Point of View
4 Prospects for a Moderate Externalism
A Short Summary
Bibliography
Index
About the Autho
Erscheinungsdatum | 30.08.2024 |
---|---|
Reihe/Serie | Philosophy of Language: Connections and Perspectives |
Sprache | englisch |
Maße | 158 x 236 mm |
Gewicht | 517 g |
Themenwelt | Geisteswissenschaften ► Philosophie ► Sprachphilosophie |
Geisteswissenschaften ► Sprach- / Literaturwissenschaft ► Sprachwissenschaft | |
ISBN-10 | 1-6669-6962-1 / 1666969621 |
ISBN-13 | 978-1-6669-6962-7 / 9781666969627 |
Zustand | Neuware |
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