Single Idea 15589

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

Full Idea

For holists a proper theory will be broadly inferential, while for their opponents it will be representational in character, describing relations between expressions and reality. Representational semantics is atomist, holist semantics inferential.

Gist of Idea

The two main theories are Holism (which is inferential), and Representational (which is atomistic)

Source

Kit Fine (Semantic Relationism [2007], Intro)

Book Reference

Fine,Kit: 'Semantic Relationism' [OUP 2007], p.4


A Reaction

Fine presents these as the two main schools in semantics. His own theory then proposes a more holistic version of the Representational view. He seeks the advantages of Frege's position, but without 'sense'.