Single Idea 15667

[catalogued under 19. Language / A. Nature of Meaning / 1. Meaning]

Full Idea

We understand the meaning of a speech act when we know what would make it acceptable.

Gist of Idea

To understand a statement is to know what would make it acceptable

Source

Jürgen Habermas (The Theory of Communicative Action [1981], I:297), quoted by James Gordon Finlayson - Habermas Ch.3:37

Book Reference

Finlayson,James G.: 'Habermas' [OUP 2005], p.37


A Reaction

Finlayson glosses this as requiring the reasons which would justify the speech act.