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Single Idea 7752

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

Full Idea

Only what I may call the primary intention of an utterer is relevant to the (non-natural) meaning of an utterance.

Gist of Idea

Only the utterer's primary intention is relevant to the meaning

Source

H. Paul Grice (Meaning [1957], p.47)

Book Ref

'Philosophical Logic', ed/tr. Strawson,P.F. [OUP 1973], p.47


A Reaction

This sounds okay for simple statements, but gets really tricky with complex statements, such as very ironic remarks delivered to an audience of diverse people.


The 3 ideas from 'Meaning'

Meaning needs an intention to induce a belief, and a recognition that this is the speaker's intention [Grice]
Only the utterer's primary intention is relevant to the meaning [Grice]
We judge linguistic intentions rather as we judge non-linguistic intentions, so they are alike [Grice]