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 13
... logic, which in turn relies on his philosophy of language. Discussing the presuppositions of Aristotelian logic, Cassirer tells us that 'the gaps that are left in logic are filled in and made good by the Aristotelian metaphysics'. This ...
... logic, which in turn relies on his philosophy of language. Discussing the presuppositions of Aristotelian logic, Cassirer tells us that 'the gaps that are left in logic are filled in and made good by the Aristotelian metaphysics'. This ...
Page 14
... , affix the right verbal labels to the right items . Getting it right is the foundation of good science . This is the reocentric ideal . * * * According to Cassirer, the Aristotelian view both of logic and 14 The Semantics of Science.
... , affix the right verbal labels to the right items . Getting it right is the foundation of good science . This is the reocentric ideal . * * * According to Cassirer, the Aristotelian view both of logic and 14 The Semantics of Science.
Page 15
... logic and Aristotelian metaphysics is the following: Aristotle thinks that in science we are working our way back up through syllogisms from facts to their reasons, from conclusions to premises. The facts we know are the conclusions we ...
... logic and Aristotelian metaphysics is the following: Aristotle thinks that in science we are working our way back up through syllogisms from facts to their reasons, from conclusions to premises. The facts we know are the conclusions we ...
Page 17
... logic could even get started ; for it would then be up to individuals to determine between them- selves how the premises of any given syllogism should be interpreted . But , as Aristotle sees it , it is not up to you and me to determine ...
... logic could even get started ; for it would then be up to individuals to determine between them- selves how the premises of any given syllogism should be interpreted . But , as Aristotle sees it , it is not up to you and me to determine ...
Page 22
... logic. It is (2) which characterizes Aristote- lian semantics as a reocentric variety of surrogationism, but (3) which raises the unsolved problem of how the scientist manages to 'intuit correctly this isomorphism of language and ...
... logic. It is (2) which characterizes Aristote- lian semantics as a reocentric variety of surrogationism, but (3) which raises the unsolved problem of how the scientist manages to 'intuit correctly this isomorphism of language and ...
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