Words and Meaning :: Philosophy of Language

Words and Meaning How do words cede meaning? The notion that a word means what it stands for its denotation - pass on be examined and found wanting because lawful analysis is only up to(p) to illuminate limited areas of language. It will be then suggested that metaphysical speculations close to the sort of entities named by words are at topper un serveful. The imagination that words get their meaning from the way they are used in public preaching will then be introduced as potentially more useful, although some problems with this approach will also be noted. in the end it will be suggested, very briefly, that an answer to this question may best be found in the common human condition how we prosecute in the world using language.It is attractive to assume that the meaning of a word is the entity it denotes. There are many cases where this definition will do. For interpreter in the sentence, John sat at the table. John denotes a someone and table denotes an object. This be s straightforward. There are sentences, however, where the meaning is apparently clear plainly where the entities are not so clear cut. The sentence below has a clear meaning The singing was divine but the acting was wooden.The suggestion carried by this sentence is easily understood. However, the entities singing and acting are not so clear. They are ongoing actions not so clearly define as tables and chairs. Furthermore, the metaphorical qualifiers divine and wooden do not help do not sharpen the meaning. Is divine, for example, merely a speculative replacement for enjoyable? A whole conversation slightly the record of singing and acting might follow such an utterance. Denotation and questions of logical form do not seem to be helpful in explaining the meanings of words in ordinary talk although human beings do seem to be impelled towards rational intervention. We habitually give reasons for things. For example, a discussion about the greatest footballer often finishes wit h extensive debate about what the defining criteria might be (a verbal dispute about connotation). afterwards the argument often then turns to which player best meets these criteria (arguments to establish denotation). whatever the case the denotation for the greatest footballer is problematical. Much of this kind of discourse is based upon opinions. These opinions may or may not be true. This in no way affects the meanings intended by the speakers.