Contextualism II

27 Novembro 2024, 14:00 • Ricardo Santos

Context-shifting and incompleteness arguments for context-sensitivity; distinction between Indexical and Non-Indexical forms of context-sensitivity; overview of different views: Semantic Minimalism, Radical and Moderate Contextualism. We also discussed the semantics/pragmatics distinction; strategies for moderate contextualists (Surprise Indexical, Hidden indexical, and Unarticulated Constituent strategies); and tests for context-sensitivity

---

Contextualism I

20 Novembro 2024, 14:00 • Ricardo Santos

Overview the topic of logical form, usefulness and limitations in using logical form to represent natural language.

Introduction to the phenomenon of context sensitivity and Kaplan’s theory of indexicals.

---

Kripke

13 Novembro 2024, 14:00 • Ricardo Santos

We had overviewed basic notions (singular/general terms, truth condition/truth values, propositions, analyticity, apriority, necessity, and possible worlds), and taking stock of what we have done so far.

We then moved to discuss Kripke's criticism to Descriptivism (semantic, epistemic and modal arguments) and introduced rigidity, and the causal theory of names.

---

No class. Reading week.

6 Novembro 2024, 14:00 • Ricardo Santos

This week there is no class. It will be compensated by an extra class on the 5th of December.

---

Russell

30 Outubro 2024, 14:00 • Ricardo Santos

The problem of reference failure and introduction to Russell's theory of definite descriptions. Russell’s treatment of proper names as definite descriptions; scope distintions; solutions to Frege’s puzzles. Problems for Russell: Strawson and Donnellan.

---