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 47
Page xii
... given facts are merely laws of experience, then they carry with themselves no con- sciousness of their necessity (are not apodeictically certain), and thus the whole does not in a strict sense deserve the name xii Preface.
... given facts are merely laws of experience, then they carry with themselves no con- sciousness of their necessity (are not apodeictically certain), and thus the whole does not in a strict sense deserve the name xii Preface.
Page 16
... given the cause. (Metaphysics 1013a24–36) These are nowadays usually referred to as (1) 'material', (2) 'formal', (3) 'efficient' and (4) 'final' causes. Earlier (Metaphysics 996b5ff.), Aristotle takes the example of a house to ...
... given the cause. (Metaphysics 1013a24–36) These are nowadays usually referred to as (1) 'material', (2) 'formal', (3) 'efficient' and (4) 'final' causes. Earlier (Metaphysics 996b5ff.), Aristotle takes the example of a house to ...
Page 17
... given syllogism should be interpreted . But , as Aristotle sees it , it is not up to you and me to determine whether it follows from the mortality of all men that a particular man Language and the Aristotelian Scientist 17.
... given syllogism should be interpreted . But , as Aristotle sees it , it is not up to you and me to determine whether it follows from the mortality of all men that a particular man Language and the Aristotelian Scientist 17.
Page 18
... given language . For , as Locke pointed out many centuries later , there is nothing to prevent indi- viduals using ( public ) words in whatever way they find expedient . An analogy that springs to mind is currency . Coins and notes ...
... given language . For , as Locke pointed out many centuries later , there is nothing to prevent indi- viduals using ( public ) words in whatever way they find expedient . An analogy that springs to mind is currency . Coins and notes ...
Page 27
... Given a certain conception of science that pleases modern scientists , one works back to what primitive society ' must have been like ' , assuming that our ancestors had to have such - and - such conditions available in order to fulfil ...
... Given a certain conception of science that pleases modern scientists , one works back to what primitive society ' must have been like ' , assuming that our ancestors had to have such - and - such conditions available in order to fulfil ...
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