Is Compositionality Compatible with Holism?

Author: Pagin, Peter

Source: Mind & Language, Volume 12, Number 1, March 1997 , pp. 11-33(23)

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Abstract:

This paper deals with three prima facie problems for the compatibility of the principle of semantic compositionality with semantic holism. The first problem concerns the order and mode of determination of the meaning of complex expressions. The second concerns the individuation of meanings, and, as a consequence, the possibility of communication. The third problem concerns the role of compositionality in explaining the understanding of new sentences, and, in conjunction with that, the possibility of language learning. It is argued that each has an acceptable solution

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1468-0017.00034

Affiliations: 1: Department of Philosophy, Stockholm University, Stockholm

Publication date: 1997-03-01