Coming to our Senses A Naturalistic Program for Semantic Localism [Hardcover]

Professor Devitt takes up one of the most important difficulties that must be faced by philosophical semantics: namely, the threat posed by holism.Three important questions lie at the core of this book. What are the main objectives of semantics? Why are they worthwhile? How should we accomplish them? The approach of the study is anti-Cartesian, rejecting the idea that linguistic or conceptual competence yields any privileged access to meanings.Three important questions lie at the core of this book. What are the main objectives of semantics? Why are they worthwhile? How should we accomplish them? The approach of the study is anti-Cartesian, rejecting the idea that linguistic or conceptual competence yields any privileged access to meanings.Michael Devitt is a distinguished philosopher of language. In this new book he takes up issues in semantics. Three important questions lie at the core of this book: What are the main objectives of semantics? Why are they worthwhile? How should we accomplish them? Devitt answers these methodological questions naturalistically and explores what semantic program arises from the answers. The approach is anti-Cartesian, rejecting the idea that linguistic or conceptual competence yields any privileged access to meanings. Devitt argues for a truth-referential localism and in the process rejects direct-reference, two-factor, and verificationist theories. The book concludes by arguing against revisionism, eliminativism, and the idea that we should ascribe narrow meanings to explain behavior.Introduction; 1. A critique of the case for semantic holism; 2. The methodology of naturalistic semantics; 3. A case for semantic localism; 4. Meanings and their ascription; 5. Eliminativism and revisionism. This technical and groundbreaking work about the nature of linguistic meaning and its relationship to empirical possibilities should create a stir in linguistic circles. Recommended. The Reader's Review The work is wide ranging, heavily l3'