The Meanings of Meaning
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2022-11-28
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en
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Abstract
Two interlocutors can (initially) mean different things yet still communicate. Existing theories of meaning are unable to explain such phenomena of semantic heterogeneity because of commitments to strong notions of reference and successful communication. By watering down these notions, the framework of lossy semantics introduced here, hopes to explain semantic heterogeneity. Instead of static, homogeneous word-object relations, lossy semantics sees reference as dynamically updated perceived patterns in our linguistic behaviour; instead of strictly shared meanings, lossy semantics proposes a fail-safe procedure of communication: interlocutors first use preconceived patterns, but when this fails, individuals dynamically establish new patterns based on the perceived behaviour available in the immediate context. This results in more individualistic, pluralist and dynamic notions of reference and communication.
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Faculteit der Filosofie, Theologie en Religiewetenschappen