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Context, Compositionality and Amity: A Response to Rett1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2020

Adam Sennet
Adam Sennet*
Affiliation:
University of California, Davis, CA95616USA
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Extract

In an insightful and provocative paper, Jessica Rett (2006) claims that attempts to locate the (non-indexical, non-demonstrative) semantic contributions of context in syntax run into problems respecting compositionality. This is an especially biting problem for hidden indexical theorists such as Stanley (2000, 2002) who deploy hidden variables to provide a compositional theory of semantic interpretation. Fortunately for the hidden indexical theorists, her attack fails, albeit in interesting and subtle ways.

The following paper is divided into four sections. Section I presents a skeletal version of Rett's argument. Those already familiar with Rett (2006) can skip ahead without shame. Section II offers a defense to the hidden indexical theorists.

Type
Research Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Philosophy , Volume 42 , Issue 1 , March 2012 , pp. 29 - 41
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2012

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