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Single Idea 7753

[from 'Meaning' by H. Paul Grice, in 19. Language / A. Nature of Meaning / 3. Meaning as Speaker's Intention ]

Full Idea

To show that the criteria for judging linguistic intentions are very like the criteria for judging non-linguistic intentions is to show that linguistic intentions are very like non-linguistic intentions.

Gist of Idea

We judge linguistic intentions rather as we judge non-linguistic intentions, so they are alike

Source

H. Paul Grice (Meaning [1957], p.48)

Book Reference

'Philosophical Logic', ed/tr. Strawson,P.F. [OUP 1973], p.48


A Reaction

This hint at the end of his paper is one of the key attractions of Grice's view. It offers an account of language that fits it into the world of animal communication and evolution. It never seems to quite capture the way meaning goes beyond intentions.