Lesson 7: Literal Meaning and Conversational Implicatures

Literal Meaning of a WORD

meaning assigned to the word by convention.

ex. bachelor = unmarried man

Literal Meaning: of a complex linguistic (statement)

meaning determined by the literal meaning of the words assigned to it + grammatical arrangement

“Aria couldn’t be luckier” it is impossible for aria to be more lucky than she is right now

Conversational implicature

what is implied from a conversational context (includes the person speaking, what they’re looking at, and where they are)

Carolina: Do you want to go for a bike ride? Callum: It’s hailing

What was the literal meaning of Callum’s statement? • What did Callum conversationally implicate?

Literal Meaning: it is hailing

Implied: he does not want to go for a bike ride

Joe: Wow, what a great movie! Did you like it too? Layla: I liked my popcorn.

What was the literal meaning of Layla’s statement?

What did Layla’s statement conversationally implicate?

Literal Meaning: She liked her popcorn

Implied: she did not like the movie

Statements are considered true when…

statements are considered true when their literal meanings are true

Statement are considered false when…

when their literal meanings are also false

Joe: Wow, what a great movie! Did you like it too? Layla: I liked my popcorn.

Suppose Layla did like the movie. Has she said something false?

Literal Meaning: Layla liked her popcorn… TRUE. she liked her popcorn

Implied: “she did not like the movie” FALSE… the supposed (she likes the movie) does not match with the impled

How can Conversational Implicatures be cancelled?

it can be cancelled by further explanation.

Can literal meanings be cancelled?

no

can conversational implicatures be reinforced?

yes— by doubling down

Why can Conversational implicatures be cancelled and reinforced?

since implicatures are “wishy washy”— ie. meaning is not strictly committed to, its possible to double down or change the meaning.

Definitions:

are statements that imply the literal meaning of a term

what are the two parts of a definition?

definiendum and definiens

Definiendum

the term being defined

definiens

the word that is being defined

what are the two types of definitions?

reportative definition and stipulative definition

Reportative Definition

definition that reports the term’s existing meaning

ex: bachelor = unmarried man

Stipulative Definition

definition that assigns a meaning to a term

Nostud = something that there is no need to study

Harm case = a moral dilemma that involves a choice between two harmful outcomes

What definition is used to introduce a new term?

Stipulative

When is a Reportative Definition considered correct?

when its definiens captures the meaning of its definiendum (defined term)

• Sister = female sibling ✅ • Dogma = a puppy’s mother ❌

What are two ways reportative definitions can be incorrect?

1. definition is too broad: term applies to things it shouldnt apply to

2. definition too narrow: term fails to apply to things it should.

Can stipulative definitions be too narrow or broad?

No, A stipulative definition’s defined term has the same meaning as its definiens by stipulation. • So, it cannot be too broad or too narrow.

How can Stipulative Definitions be poor?

1. Circular

2. obscure

Circularity

It can be circular in that the definiens cannot be understood without a prior understanding of the defined term. • E.g. Red = the colour red things have

Obscurity

It can be obscure in that its definiens do not provide a clear understanding of the defined term.

E.g. Science = searching for a black cat in a dark room

Precising Definition

definition that aims to precisify meaning of the term

Persuasive Definition

is a definition that attaches an emotive, positive, or derogatory connotation to a term when the term does not have such a connotation.

• Some terms do have such a connotation, so it is appropriate for a reportive definition to include it (e.g., weed) – such a definition would not be a persuasive definition. • Example of a persuasive definition: democracy = dictatorship by the uneducated masses

Verbal Dispute

Apparent disagreement in which parties agree on the relevant facts but use the words differently

Factual Dispute

is a disagreement in which the parties disagree on a fact.