Single Idea 16403

[catalogued under 19. Language / C. Assigning Meanings / 2. Semantics]

Full Idea

'Descriptive' semantics gives a semantics for the language without saying how practice explains why the semantics is right; …'foundational' semantics concerns the facts that give expressions their semantic values.

Gist of Idea

'Descriptive' semantics gives a system for a language; 'foundational' semantics give underlying facts

Source

Robert C. Stalnaker (Reference and Necessity [1997], §1)

Book Reference

Stalnaker,Robert C.: 'Ways a World Might Be' [OUP 2003], p.166


A Reaction

[compressed] Sounds parallel to the syntax/semantics distinction, or proof-theoretical and semantic validity. Or the sense/reference distinction! Or object language/metalanguage. Shall I go on?