Single Idea 13965

[catalogued under 19. Language / C. Assigning Meanings / 2. Semantics]

Full Idea

There are two senses of 'semantic' - as theory of meaning or as truth-based theory of logical consequence, and they are very different.

Gist of Idea

Semantics as theory of meaning and semantics as truth-based logical consequence are very different

Source

Scott Soames (Why Propositions Aren't Truth-Supporting Circumstance [2008], p.78)

Book Reference

Soames,Scott: 'Philosophical Essays 2:Significance of Language' [Princeton 2009], p.78


A Reaction

This subtle point is significant in considering the role of logic in philosophy. The logicians' semantics (based on logical consequence) is in danger of ousting the broader and more elusive notion of meaning in natural language.