Well, we seem to have this word, “meaning”, that pops up a lot and that lots of people seem to think is pretty interesting, and questions of whether people “mean” the same thing as other people do turn up quite often. That said, it’s often a pretty confusing topic. So it seems worthwhile to try and think about what’s going on with the word “meaning” when people use it, and if possible, clarify it. If you’re just totally uninterested in that, fine. Or you can just ditch the concept of “meaning” altogether, but good luck talking to anyone else about interesting stuff in that case!
Well, I did just post my thinking about that, and I feel like I’m the only person pointing out that Putnam and the rest are arguing the acoustics of unheard falling trees. To me, the issue is dissolved so thoroughly that there isn’t a question left, other than the real questions of what’s going on in our brains when we talk.
Okay, I was kind of interpreting you as just not being interested in these kinds of question. I agree that some questions about “meaning” don’t go anywhere and need to be dissolved, but I don’t think that all such questions can be dissolved. If you don’t think that any such questions are legitimate, then obviously this will look like a total waste of time to you.
Well, we seem to have this word, “meaning”, that pops up a lot and that lots of people seem to think is pretty interesting, and questions of whether people “mean” the same thing as other people do turn up quite often. That said, it’s often a pretty confusing topic. So it seems worthwhile to try and think about what’s going on with the word “meaning” when people use it, and if possible, clarify it. If you’re just totally uninterested in that, fine. Or you can just ditch the concept of “meaning” altogether, but good luck talking to anyone else about interesting stuff in that case!
Well, I did just post my thinking about that, and I feel like I’m the only person pointing out that Putnam and the rest are arguing the acoustics of unheard falling trees. To me, the issue is dissolved so thoroughly that there isn’t a question left, other than the real questions of what’s going on in our brains when we talk.
Okay, I was kind of interpreting you as just not being interested in these kinds of question. I agree that some questions about “meaning” don’t go anywhere and need to be dissolved, but I don’t think that all such questions can be dissolved. If you don’t think that any such questions are legitimate, then obviously this will look like a total waste of time to you.
One person pointing it out suffices. (I tend to agree with your position.)