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Context selection and the frame problem

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 May 2011

D. L. Chiappe
Affiliation:
Division of Life Sciences, Scarborough College, University of Toronto, Scarborough, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada. [email protected]
A. Kukla
Affiliation:
Division of Life Sciences, Scarborough College, University of Toronto, Scarborough, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada. [email protected]

Abstract

Sperber and Wilson (1987) have criticised Fodor's (1983) pessimistic view about the possibility of a science of central systems. Fodor's pessimism stems from the holistic nature of central systems – people can access anything that they know when engaging in belief fixation. It is argued that Sperber and Wilsons theory of how relevance is realized during verbal comprehension fails to elucidate this crucial aspect of central processes. Their claims about how a context is selected are shown to presuppose the ability to realize relevance.

Type
Continuing Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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