The Semantics of ScienceA&C Black, 2005 M04 15 - 240 pages The Semantics of Science proposes a radical new rethinking of science and scientific discourse. Roy Harris argues that supercategories such as science, art, religion and history are themselves verbal constructs, and thus language-dependent. Because each supercategory is constructed differently, it is necessary to pay attention to the linguistic process by which a discourse such as 'science' has developed. Through this view it is possible to observe that the function of the supercategory is to integrate what would otherwise be separate activities and enquiries, and the result of this integration is therefore a re-drawing of the intellectual world that society as a whole adopts. In the course of his study of The Semantics of Science Roy Harris looks at the history and development of scientific discourse to show through language that what is meant by science has changed since it was first theorised by the Greeks. Harris traces the semantic development of 'science' through the years of the Royal Society to the present day, moving on to an analysis of rhetoric, mathematics, common sense and finally the supercategory of semantics. This lucidly written yet radical new theory on the language of science will be fascinating reading for academics and students researching semantics, semiotics or applied linguistics. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 34
Page xii
... accepted, it brought the term science itself, together with all other supercategory terms and concepts, under the critical scrutiny of one new science, semantics. Although the supercategories we recognize are familiar enough, there ...
... accepted, it brought the term science itself, together with all other supercategory terms and concepts, under the critical scrutiny of one new science, semantics. Although the supercategories we recognize are familiar enough, there ...
Page 10
... accept the equation between episteme and science] it is improper to ask any further for the why and wherefore of them; each of the first principles should command belief in and by itself' (Topics 100a30–b20). The reason for this ...
... accept the equation between episteme and science] it is improper to ask any further for the why and wherefore of them; each of the first principles should command belief in and by itself' (Topics 100a30–b20). The reason for this ...
Page 11
... accepted (or rejected), and hence no sure basis for the Aristotelian scientist would be provided. Until such a language is ... accept this is in effect to admit that neither observation nor experiment, however meticulously conducted and ...
... accepted (or rejected), and hence no sure basis for the Aristotelian scientist would be provided. Until such a language is ... accept this is in effect to admit that neither observation nor experiment, however meticulously conducted and ...
Page 16
... accept processes that cannot be brought to a conclusion. The Aristotelian doctrine of causes tacitly reinforces the importance of the linguistic requirement for any valid form of scientific statement. The terminology of each inquiry, in ...
... accept processes that cannot be brought to a conclusion. The Aristotelian doctrine of causes tacitly reinforces the importance of the linguistic requirement for any valid form of scientific statement. The terminology of each inquiry, in ...
Page 18
... accept them, do not conjointly suffice to explain the fact (if it is a fact) that the meanings of words are constants for all speakers of a given language. For, as Locke pointed out many centuries later, there is nothing to prevent ...
... accept them, do not conjointly suffice to explain the fact (if it is a fact) that the meanings of words are constants for all speakers of a given language. For, as Locke pointed out many centuries later, there is nothing to prevent ...
Contents
1 | |
5 | |
25 | |
3 Semantics and the Royal Society | 47 |
4 Science in the kitchen | 64 |
5 The rhetoric of linguistic science | 83 |
6 Mathematics and the language of science | 106 |
7 Science and common sense | 129 |
8 Supercategory semantics | 152 |
9 Integrating science | 176 |
Appendix 1 Einstein on science and reality | 189 |
Appendix 2 Heisenberg on language | 202 |
References | 209 |
Index | 215 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
according already Aristotelian Aristotle Aristotle's assumptions basis Betty Bloomfield Bohr Boyle’s law Bridgman called Carnap claim classical physics communication concept copper correspondence counting defined Demiurge described discourse distinction Einstein everyday example existing experience explain fact fixed code fixed-code geography Greek Harré Heisenberg Heisenberg 1989 Holt-Jensen human idea inquiry integration integrationist kind knowledge Kuhn language of science language user linguistic logic material objects mathematics means measurement Medawar metaphysical modern names Nature Neogrammarian notion number-words observation ordinary language paradigm particular philosophy of language philosophy of science physics possible pre-scientific principles problem proposed psychocentric question reference relativity of simultaneity reocentric reocentric semantics rhetoric rhetoric of science Saussure scientific method scientists seems semantics of science sense signs simultaneity space spagyrists Sprat statement supercategory suppose symbols syntax Thales theory things tion trajectory truth understand verbal Vienna Circle Wilkins words