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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.
| 20962 | Habermas seems to make philosophy more democratic [Habermas, by Bowie] |
| 15665 | We can do social philosophy by studying coordinated action through language use [Habermas, by Finlayson] |
| 15670 | The aim of 'post-metaphysical' philosophy is to interpret the sciences [Habermas, by Finlayson] |
| 20573 | Rather than instrumental reason, Habermas emphasises its communicative role [Habermas, by Oksala] |
| 20961 | What is considered a priori changes as language changes [Habermas, by Bowie] |
| 15668 | Meaning is not fixed by a relation to the external world, but a relation to other speakers [Habermas, by Finlayson] |
| 15669 | People endorse equality, universality and inclusiveness, just by their communicative practices [Habermas, by Finlayson] |
| 23416 | Political involvement is needed, to challenge existing practices [Habermas, by Kymlicka] |
| 15667 | To understand a statement is to know what would make it acceptable [Habermas] |
| 15672 | Actions norms are only valid if everyone possibly affected is involved in the discourse [Habermas] |
| 15677 | Moral right is linked to validity and truth, so morality is a matter of knowledge, not an expression of values [Habermas, by Finlayson] |
| 15671 | Move from individual willing of a general law, to willing norms agreed with other people [Habermas] |
| 15666 | To understand language is to know how to use it to reach shared understandings [Habermas] |