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Single Idea 15666
[filed under theme 19. Language / A. Nature of Meaning / 6. Meaning as Use
]
Full Idea
One simply would not know what it is to understand the meaning of a linguistic expression if one did not know how one could make use of it in order to reach understanding with someone about something.
Gist of Idea
To understand language is to know how to use it to reach shared understandings
Source
Jürgen Habermas (On the Pragmatics of Communications [1998], p.228), quoted by James Gordon Finlayson - Habermas Ch.3:34
Book Ref
Finlayson,James G.: 'Habermas' [OUP 2005], p.34
A Reaction
Not offered as a 'theory of meaning', and certainly plausible. Compare a hammer, though: a proper understanding is that it is used to exert a sharp force, but you can take in its structure and nature before you spot its usage.
The
27 ideas
with the same theme
[meaning of language is its use]:
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20949
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Study the use of words, not their origins
[Herder]
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16879
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A sign won't gain sense just from being used in sentences with familiar components
[Frege]
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6567
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For Wittgenstein, words are defined by their use, just as chess pieces are
[Wittgenstein, by Fogelin]
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4137
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In the majority of cases the meaning of a word is its use in the language
[Wittgenstein]
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6169
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We do not achieve meaning and understanding in our heads, but in the world
[Wittgenstein, by Rowlands]
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4155
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We all seem able to see quite clearly how sentences represent things when we use them
[Wittgenstein]
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22330
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Grice said patterns of use are often semantically irrelevant, because it is a pragmatic matter
[Grice, by Glock]
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8356
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The meaning of an expression or sentence is general directions for its use, to refer or to assert
[Strawson,P]
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2354
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"Meaning is use" is not a definition of meaning
[Putnam]
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15666
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To understand language is to know how to use it to reach shared understandings
[Habermas]
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19054
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Meaning as use puts use beyond criticism, and needs a holistic view of language
[Dummett]
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8176
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We could only guess the meanings of 'true' and 'false' when sentences were used
[Dummett]
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6395
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An understood sentence can be used for almost anything; it isn't language if it has only one use
[Davidson]
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19162
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Meaning involves use, but a sentence has many uses, while meaning stays fixed
[Davidson]
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23290
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It could be that the use of a sentence is explained by its truth conditions
[Davidson]
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12590
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Take meaning to be use in calculation with concepts, rather than in communication
[Harman]
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12593
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The use theory attaches meanings to words, not to sentences
[Harman]
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4562
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Most people know how to use the word "Amen", but they do not know what it means
[Cooper,DE]
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4563
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'How now brown cow?' is used for elocution, but this says nothing about its meaning
[Cooper,DE]
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4001
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The meaning of a word contains all its possible uses as well as its actual ones
[Nagel]
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3004
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The meaning of a sentence derives from its use in expressing an attitude
[Fodor]
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3204
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The meaning of "and" may be its use, but not of "animal"
[Rey]
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7764
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Could I successfully use an expression, without actually understanding it?
[Lycan]
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7763
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It is hard to state a rule of use for a proper name
[Lycan]
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7765
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The use of a sentence is its commitments and entitlements
[Brandom, by Lycan]
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9595
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You might know that the word 'gob' meant 'mouth', but not be competent to use it
[Williamson]
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14999
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Prior to conventions, not all green things were green?
[Sider]
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