The_Importance_of_Concepts.pdf (104.46 kB)
The importance of concepts
Words change meaning over time. Some meaning shift is accompanied by a corresponding change in subject matter; some meaning shift is not. In this paper I argue that an account of linguistic meaning can accommodate the first kind of case, but that a theory of concepts is required to accommodate the second. Where there is stability of subject matter through linguistic change, it is concepts that provide the stability. The stability provided by concepts allows for genuine disagreement and ameliorative change in the context of conceptual engineering.
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Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
Proceedings of the Aristotelian SocietyISSN
1467-9264Publisher
Oxford University PressExternal DOI
Issue
2Volume
118Page range
127-147Department affiliated with
- Philosophy Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2018-05-17First Open Access (FOA) Date
2020-06-09First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2018-05-15Usage metrics
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