Montague Reduction, Confirmation, and the Syntax-Semantics Relation

Liefke, Kristina und Hartmann, Stephan (July 2014): Montague Reduction, Confirmation, and the Syntax-Semantics Relation.

Abstract

Intertheoretic relations are an important topic in the philosophy of science. However, since their classical discussion by Ernest Nagel, such relations have mostly been restricted to relations between pairs of theories in the natural sciences. In this paper, we present a model of a new type of intertheoretic relation, called 'Montague Reduction', which is assumed in Montague's framework for the analysis and interpretation of natural language syntax. To motivate the adoption of our new model, we show that this model extends the scope of application of the Nagelian (or related) models, and that it shares the epistemological advantages of the Nagelian model. The latter is achieved in a Bayesian framework.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Keywords: Intertheoretic relations, Bayesian confirmation, Montague Grammar, Philosophy of linguistics, Reduction, Syntax-semantics relation
• Faculties: Philosophy, Philosophy of Science and Religious Science > Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy (MCMP); Philosophy, Philosophy of Science and Religious Science > Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy (MCMP) > Philosophy of Science
• Subjects: 100 Philosophy and Psychology > 100 Philosophy
• Language: English