Single Idea 13977

[catalogued under 19. Language / A. Nature of Meaning / 3. Meaning as Speaker's Intention]

Full Idea

If I have uttered my sentence aloud, a listener can both understand what I say or grasp my meaning, and also infer to my state of mind.

Gist of Idea

When I utter a sentence, listeners grasp both my meaning and my state of mind

Source

Gilbert Ryle (Are there propositions? [1930], I)

Book Reference

Ryle,Gilbert: 'Collected Essays 2 1929-1968' [Routledge 2009], p.16


A Reaction

This simple observations seems rather important. If we shake written words onto the floor, they might add up to a proper sentence, but half of the point of a sentence is missing. Irony trades on the gap between meaning and state of mind.