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. |
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Page ix
... of us nowadays know whether we are getting our 'scientific information' at first hand, second hand, or forty-ninth hand. To take a simple example, Mr Overweight who visits the gym for his morning exercise before going off to the Preface ix.
... of us nowadays know whether we are getting our 'scientific information' at first hand, second hand, or forty-ninth hand. To take a simple example, Mr Overweight who visits the gym for his morning exercise before going off to the Preface ix.
Page xi
... example of the supercategory in action, determined to protect its own autonomy. My contention throughout will be that supercategories such as science, art, religion, and history are themselves verbal constructs, and thus language ...
... example of the supercategory in action, determined to protect its own autonomy. My contention throughout will be that supercategories such as science, art, religion, and history are themselves verbal constructs, and thus language ...
Page xii
... example would be the agricultural requirement of adequate water. The farmer who copes with this by installing an up-to-date system of irrigation treats the problem as scientific. The farmer who goes to church and prays for rain is ...
... example would be the agricultural requirement of adequate water. The farmer who copes with this by installing an up-to-date system of irrigation treats the problem as scientific. The farmer who goes to church and prays for rain is ...
Page xiii
... example illustrates, already presupposes that there is a supercategory concerning which such questions can be raised. Similar considerations apply when we find books with interrogative titles like What is Science? (Campbell 1921) and ...
... example illustrates, already presupposes that there is a supercategory concerning which such questions can be raised. Similar considerations apply when we find books with interrogative titles like What is Science? (Campbell 1921) and ...
Page xv
... example would be Halliday 1987 on ' Language and the order of nature ' . This is based on very questionable Whorfian assumptions and couched in an elaborate pseudo - scientific vocabulary of ' codes ' , ' sys- tems ' , ' subsystems ...
... example would be Halliday 1987 on ' Language and the order of nature ' . This is based on very questionable Whorfian assumptions and couched in an elaborate pseudo - scientific vocabulary of ' codes ' , ' sys- tems ' , ' subsystems ...
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 |
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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