ZJR (Sign-Language-Reality) Seminar: Eduardo Torres
Eduardo Torres from Trinity College Dublin will speak on November 3 at 5 p.m. CET (4 p.m. London, 11 a.m. NYC) at the next webinar in the series “Sign – Language – Reality.” He will give a lecture entitled: “Convention and Context: Strawson on the Semantic/Pragmatic Distinction.” The meeting will be held online on Zoom. Everyone is invited.
To join the meeting (which will start at 4:45 p.m., with the lecture starting at 5:00 p.m.), click on the link below and enter the access code.
The link: https://uw-edu-pl.zoom.us/j/98775052581…
Access code: 076657. Meeting ID: 987 7505 2581
Summary of the lecture:
The present paper delves into the work of philosopher P.F. Strawson on the intricate relationship between convention and context or what is now commonly known as the semantic/pragmatic distinction. Strawson’s influential contributions to the field of linguistics and philosophy have stimulated
substantial debate and refinement of theories regarding language use and meaning. His foundational arguments challenge the oversimplification of linguistic analysis and advocate for a more nuanced understanding of meaning, rooted in the interplay between grammatical structures and situational context.
By emphasizing the role of context in shaping linguistic meaning, Strawson opens avenues for exploring language as a living, dynamic entity deeply embedded in human action and communication. Furthermore, the paper examines how Strawson’s insights have influenced subsequent developments in the fields of pragmatics, semantics, and philosophy of language—especially with regards to current semantic contextualism—highlighting the enduring relevance of his ideas in contemporary philosophy of language and linguistics.
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