more from Robert C. Stalnaker

Single Idea 16461

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

Full Idea

We still do not know how to give a direct semantics for the quantifiers of a natural language; that is something that we still do not know how to do (or at least how it is done remains controversial).

Gist of Idea

We still lack an agreed semantics for quantifiers in natural language

Source

Robert C. Stalnaker (Mere Possibilities [2012], 4)

Book Reference

Stalnaker,Robert C.: 'Mere Possibilities' [Princeton 2012], p.91


A Reaction

I am struck by how rapidly the domain of quantification changes, even in mid-sentence, in the course of an ordinary conversation. This is decided almost entirely by context, not by pure ('direct'?) semantics.