Single Idea 2482

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

Full Idea

Nobody now thinks that the reduction of the meaning of English sentences to facts about the communicative intentions of English speakers - or to any facts about mental states - is likely to go through.

Gist of Idea

It seems unlikely that meaning can be reduced to communicative intentions, or any mental states

Source

Jerry A. Fodor (In a Critical Condition [2000], Ch. 6)

Book Reference

Fodor,Jerry A.: 'In Critical Condition' [MIT 2000], p.66


A Reaction

Most attempts at 'reduction' of meaning seem to go rather badly. I assume it would be very difficult to characterise 'intentions' without implicit reference to meaning.