Assertion, truth, rules and aims

What is it about?

Some philosophers argue that the rules of language are similar to the rules of games. A person who lies, for instance, commits an infraction that is similar, say, to committing a foul in football. But this picture is incomplete: language and games are also governed by aims. In this sense, scoring a goal is the (purported) aim of shooting penalties in football; similarly, communicating a truth is the (purported) aim of making a statement. In this paper, I help myself with this analogy to solve some contemporary controversies in the philosophy of communication.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

- Offers a definition of the difference between rules and aims in social practicies, and applies it to the study of language/communication - Presents a novel solution to a philosophical puzzle concerning the rules that govern the speech act of assertion