Reference : Some Recent Philosophical Issues

Abstract

A semantical theory for a language is intended to represent what one must know to be able to interpret utterances of that language. What is the form such a theory must take, and what information must it provide about the language and its speakers? These are among the basic problems debated in the current Anglo-American philosophy of language. The aim of the present paper is to sketch the outlines of two influential approaches to the nature of semantical theory, namely the "building block" theory and the "holistic theory," and clarify the philosophical and methodological motivation for the holistic approach. The paper is basically an introductory survey of the current debate in this area, with a special focus on Donald Davidson's work.