Semantic externalism

The language- philosophical thesis of the semantic externalism says that the speaker meaning of an expression may depend on factors that are not sprecherintrinsisch.

So may be in terms of their intrinsic properties are identical, however, relate to a given expression on different things and thus different socio Expressing two speakers.

In this formulation, of course, nothing is said about it, in which the intrinsic should exist (as opposed to extrinsic ) properties of a speaker. Discussion Worthy also remain on the assumption that the reference ( denotation, extension ) of an expression is a part of its purpose (see extension and intension ) and the assumption that the identity of an expression with different covers is compatible. It turns beyond the question of how the speaker meaning ( and the speaker cover) with the meaning ( and the reference ) simpliciter related. The latter question is particularly so important as the semantic Externalismusthese is formulated simpliciter often as a thesis about the importance ( or the reference ).

Philosophy Historical origin

As historical origin of the thesis of semantic externalism Hilary Putnam's famous " Twin Earth " thought experiment is generally regarded. It is to show that two " molecule -by- molecule " identical speakers can refer to the term " water" refers to chemically completely different substances. The thought experiment is based on a planet that is almost completely identical to Earth. The similarities between the earth and the " Twin Earth " go so far that every person on earth has a counterpart on Twin Earth, its qualitative experiences coincide with his. The only difference between the two planets are there in the chemical composition of the liquid that fills the oceans and rivers, which is used for drinking and washing, etc. While these roles on earth of the game, they are on twin earth from another substance, played. Putnam's thought experiment is intended to support the semantic judgment that an earthling ( "Oscar" ) with the word " water " to refer, while his Zwillingserd counterpart ( "Twin - Oscar" ) with the word " water " to refer, namely regardless of ( a " molecule -by- molecule" understood identity ) intrinsic identity between the two speakers. It is important to understand that this means that the meaning of " water " does not " fill the liquid, the seas and rivers, which is good for drinking and washing, etc. " in a definition as exhausted: both earthlings and Zwillingserd residents accept the definition. Hilary Putnam emphasizes that the difference between the different speaker meanings in relation to earth Zwillingserd spokesman couples around the year 1750, ie before the development of the modern science of chemistry, can be determined. Putnam summarizes the thesis of semantic externalism with the slogan " meanings Just Is not in the Head " together.

It should be noted that Putnam refers in his article published in 1975 on the already few years earlier published work Naming and Necessity by Saul A. Kripke, in which a causal theory of reference has already been outlined by expressions from which the semantic externalism ( understood, at least as a thesis for the purchase of expressions) directly follows. Kripke turns in his book against labeling theories of reference of expressions, ie theories, according to which the reference of "water" "fills the liquid, the seas and rivers, which is good for drinking and washing, etc. " from those same definitions as results. For his arguments Kripke used thought experiments that Putnam's Twin Earth thought experiment are very similar. For this reason, some philosophers use for the semantic externalism, the name " Kripke -Putnam semantics " or "KP semantics ".

Types

Putnam's thought experiment supports a externalism, according to which the (causally acting on the speaker) microphysical structure of the environment of the speaker can influence the speaker meaning of their expressions. This shows the close relationship between the semantic externalism and the causal theory of reference: the former ( at least understood as a thesis about the relation of expressions ) is a consequence of the latter.

In addition to the " Twin Earth " thought experiment to fruition next microphysical differences and social factors in the determination of speaker meaning were examined in the trade debate. Tyler Burge has to show about a thought experiment attempts that the speaker meaning of an expression is influenced by the linguistic behavior of other members of the speech community of the speaker. Burges thought experiment about to suggest the semantic judgment that two intrinsically identical speakers may relate with their term " arthritis " in different clinical pictures. The speakers extrinsic difference in Burge is that in one case, apply the relevant experts of the language community the term only to joint problems as they apply it in the other case to other complaints.

Arguments for the semantic externalism

The main argument for semantic externalism based on Putnam's thought experiment ( or related thought experiments, see, eg, Burges thought experiment for social externalism ).

Another argument (also from Putnam ) has in its main premise attention to the intuitive equality of the meaning of " elm tree" ( " elm " ) in the mouth of a competent botanist and in the mouth of a person who (like Putnam himself) elm trees ( elm ) of Book ( beech ) can not distinguish.

Arguments against semantic externalism

Not all philosophers have become convinced of the thought experiments. Some deny the thesis of the difference outright in the speaker meaning between earthling and Zwillingserdling. After them to earthling and Zwillingserdling refer to the same thing with "water" about.

Another possibility, the semantic internalism also hold in the light of thought experiments, the answer is that the reference of an expression in a speaker on complex speaker - intrinsic factors based mouth than first thought. These include dispositions of self-correction in the light of ( unexpected ) or empirical data in light of the ( unexpected ) belongs linguistic dispositions of other speakers. (See Two-dimensional semantics. )

Against the externalism speaks some philosopher 's view as a whole, that he makes the happiness communication of different speakers seem mysterious.

Related theories and debates

In addition to the semantic externalism many philosophers represented a externalism of mental content, according to which the content of beliefs and other mental intentional states (such as hope, fear, worry ) depends on factors that are extrinsic to the support of the state.

The externalism of mental content plays an important role in the philosophy of mind, in the question about the possibility of knowledge of oneself, as well as in the discussion of skepticism.

A close relative - or a subspecies - the externalism of mental content is known in the English-language debate as "active externalism ". According to him, certain mental or cognitive states or processes implemented only in action, especially in the action by means of external objects.

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