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
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Page xii
... the given facts are merely laws of experience, then they carry with themselves no consciousness of their necessity (are not apodeictically certain), and thus the whole does not in a strict sense deserve the name xii Preface.
... the given facts are merely laws of experience, then they carry with themselves no consciousness of their necessity (are not apodeictically certain), and thus the whole does not in a strict sense deserve the name xii Preface.
Page 2
... fact that they all told the same time was taken as showing that each clock told the correct time.) The existence of the time-lag thus goes unnoticed by the many people who believe that scientists collectively command some privileged way ...
... fact that they all told the same time was taken as showing that each clock told the correct time.) The existence of the time-lag thus goes unnoticed by the many people who believe that scientists collectively command some privileged way ...
Page 7
... facts assumed to be known. To this problem Aristotle applies his own doctrine of 'causes'. Nevertheless, the zoological facts he reports can be organized and interrelated in any one of a number of ways, depending on the interests of the ...
... facts assumed to be known. To this problem Aristotle applies his own doctrine of 'causes'. Nevertheless, the zoological facts he reports can be organized and interrelated in any one of a number of ways, depending on the interests of the ...
Page 15
... facts to their reasons, from conclusions to premises. The facts we know are the conclusions we wish to prove, so the job of a scientist is to find suitable premises from which to construct suitable syllogisms. (Harré 1970: 5) This ...
... facts to their reasons, from conclusions to premises. The facts we know are the conclusions we wish to prove, so the job of a scientist is to find suitable premises from which to construct suitable syllogisms. (Harré 1970: 5) This ...
Page 18
... 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 individuals using (public) words in whatever way they find ...
... 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 individuals using (public) words in whatever way they find ...
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