more from Jerry A. Fodor

Single Idea 2998

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

Full Idea

According to Gricean theories of meaning, the meaning of a sentence is inherited from the propositional attitudes that the sentence is conventionally used to express.

Gist of Idea

Grice thinks meaning is inherited from the propositional attitudes which sentences express

Source

Jerry A. Fodor (Psychosemantics [1987], p. 50)

Book Reference

Fodor,Jerry A.: 'Psychosemantics' [MIT 1993], p.50


A Reaction

Since the propositional attitudes contain propositions, this seems like a very plausible idea. If an indexical like 'I' is involved, the meaning of the sentence is not the same as its 'conventional' use.