Philosophy

Igal Kvart (Hebrew University of Jerusalem) will provide a colloquium talk to the UF Philosophy Department in the department library.

Title: Steering-Thrust Pragmatics and a Pragmatic Perspective on Assertion

Abstract: In this talk I’ll present the Pragmatic approach I called Steering-Thrust & Posting Pragmatics, and applications to Assertions. Speakers employ Pragmatic Steering Thrusts for steering their hearers towards various Pragmatic Stances, such as Informational/epistemic Pragmatic-Stances, Action-Directed Pragmatic Stance, attitudinal Pragmatic-Stances, and also Ethical, to mention a few. Already possessed Pragmatic Stances (e.g., informational) can also be modified by Steering Thrusts (esp. Informational, both construed internally, i.e., from the subject’s perspective).

Steering Thrusts confer corresponding Postings – which are corresponding Pragmatic Stances of the speaker which she exhibits or manifests, via the Norm of Sincerity (construed broadly). Usually Steering Thrusts come in bunches, in a single verbal act — together with other Steering Thrusts (e.g., informational/epistemic as well as attitudinal, or Action-Directed, etc.). In particular, such a Pragmatics, as I see it, is not primarily governed by Norms of Rationality (as is the traditional position) but rather by special norms of Conversational Etiquette, the Norm of Sincerity being a major one. Specifically, the content of, e.g., various attitudinal biases is reflected by the implicit content conveyed (which is not propositional) by Verbal Acts.

I’ll present various items that illustrate the large scope of this Pragmatics.

In the next talk I’ll expand on the ramifications of this Pragmatics to various philosophical topics, such as Assertion, Pragmatic Encroachment and Presuppositions.