Conceptual Role Semantics

CRS: The functional role of an expression determines its meaning.

• "Meaning is use."

Functional role = ?

• Global inferential role: Ann kisses Betty ⇒ Ann likes Betty, Ann touched Betty
• Analytic inferential role: Ann is a mother ⇒ Ann has children
• Logical inferential role: Ann is a mother ⇒ Something is a mother

Comment

Josep Macia 2005

Result from Boolos shows that 1st order logical inferential role not sufficient for fixing the meaning of 1st order quantifiers and logical connectives; imposes no constraints on the interpretation of predicate expressions.

wide version of CRS immune to objection.

Category.Mind