In its most general definition, provided by Robert Brandom, inferentialism is the idea that inference is of particular significance in the understanding of conceptual content. Several theories of meaning have been found classifiable under this so broadly defined cathegory. Besides Brandom's own one, Dummett's philosophy of language particularly stands out among these. This paper deals with the analysis of the inferentialist approach in semantics. Proof-Theoretical Semantics and Incompatibility Semantics are considered as paradigmatic examples of such enterprise. Their role as formal semantics in the framework of Dummett's and Brandom's theories of meaning is discussed, and their technical properties are examined and compared. The results of the analysis highlight some characterizing features of inferential semantics.
Varieties of Inferential Semantics
Giacomo Turbanti
2014-01-01
Abstract
In its most general definition, provided by Robert Brandom, inferentialism is the idea that inference is of particular significance in the understanding of conceptual content. Several theories of meaning have been found classifiable under this so broadly defined cathegory. Besides Brandom's own one, Dummett's philosophy of language particularly stands out among these. This paper deals with the analysis of the inferentialist approach in semantics. Proof-Theoretical Semantics and Incompatibility Semantics are considered as paradigmatic examples of such enterprise. Their role as formal semantics in the framework of Dummett's and Brandom's theories of meaning is discussed, and their technical properties are examined and compared. The results of the analysis highlight some characterizing features of inferential semantics.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
