Philosophy Dictionary of ArgumentsHome
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| Situation semantics, philosophy: Situation semantics assumes that the meaning of sentences is determined by the set of possible situations in which they are true. Thus, in concrete situations there is an already given meaning of the used linguistic means from the history of usage. In the discussion of this theory, one of the issues is the distinction between situations and worlds. See also Possible world semantics, Situations, Attitude semantics, Centered worlds, Context/contextuality, Propositions, Propositional attitudes, Fine-grained/coarse-grained, Internalism, Externalism._____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
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Jaakko Hintikka on Situation Semantics - Dictionary of Arguments
II XVII Situation Semantics/Barwise/Perry/Hintikka: situation semantics is not so much different than the semantics of possible worlds. Possible Worlds/Hintikka: possible worlds are often more like situations, they are not always closed worlds. They are rather event progresses in a small corner of the universe and related to situations. Difference: alternative situations could occur in one and the same world. >Possible worlds, >Situations. II XVIII Situation Semantics/Hintikka: situation semantics is not a serious rival of the semantics of possible worlds. --- II 206 Situation Semantics/Barwise/Perry/B/P/Hintikka: Barwise's and Perry's situation semantics is a welcome addition to the semantics of possible worlds. >Situation semantics/Barwise/Perry. Situation/Hintikka: an interesting question is how small egocentric situations can be when put together to form a larger comprehensive "world view". Relations: there should be at least three types of relations between situations: 1. spatial, 2. temporal and 3. the distinction between fine-grained and coarse-grained situations. It is best to study these separately. II 207 Situation Semantics/Barwise/Perry/omniscience/Hintikka: how can situation semantics solve the problem of logical omniscience? Barwise/Perry: give the following example: (1) a sees how b X-t therefore (2) a sees how b Y-t If X-en implies logically, to Y-en ((s) e.g. to go, to move). Solution/Barwise/Perry: Barwise and Perry assume that there are richer and poorer situations and relations between them. HintikkaVsBarwise/HintikkaVsSituation Semantics/Hintikka: but this is not a triumph over the semantics of possible worlds, for two reasons: 1. Because it is now about the relation fine/coarse (fine-grained/coarse-grained) which is nothing with which the semantics of possible worlds has to do. 2. The semantics of possible worlds has solved the problem by using Rantala's urn models (changing worlds depending on whether drawn balls are returned or not). Barwise/Perry: Barwise and Perry consider only instances of omniscience, which arise through the introduction of new descriptive terms into the conclusion,... II 208 ...and go beyond what is mentioned in the premises. Hintikka/Rantala: we have both looked at cases which require the introduction of new individuals in order to ensure the validity of the inference. E.g. (3) Robert saw someone giving each boy his own book. (4) Robert saw every boy how a book was given him by someone. Question: does (3) logically entail (4)? Situation Semantics/Barwise/Perry: according to situation semantics, yes it does. Semantics of Possible Worlds/Hintikka: according to semantics of possible worlds it is at least questionable. >Semantics of possible worlds._____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
Hintikka I Jaakko Hintikka Merrill B. Hintikka Investigating Wittgenstein German Edition: Untersuchungen zu Wittgenstein Frankfurt 1996 Hintikka II Jaakko Hintikka Merrill B. Hintikka The Logic of Epistemology and the Epistemology of Logic Dordrecht 1989 |
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> Counter arguments against Hintikka
> Counter arguments in relation to Situation Semantics
Ed. Martin Schulz, access date 2024-04-23