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Book Cover
E-book
Author Finlay, Stephen, author

Title Confusion of tongues : a theory of normative language / Stephen Finlay
Published Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2014

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Description 1 online resource
Series Oxford moral theory
Oxford moral theory.
Contents 1. Introduction -- 2. A Good Word to Start With -- 3. The Probable Meaning of 'Ought' -- 4. Explaining Reasons -- 5. Pragmatics and Practicality -- 6. Multiple Ends -- 7. Categorical and Final -- 8. A Disagreeable Problem -- 9. Conclusion
Summary Can normative words like 'good', 'ought', and 'reason' be defined in entirely non-normative terms? This book argues that they can, advancing an end-relational theory of the meaning of this language as providing the best explanation of the many different ways it is ordinarily used. Whereas it is widely maintained that relational theories cannot account for the special features of moral and deliberative uses of these words, this book argues that the end-relational theory accommodates these features systematically on the basis of a single fundamental principle of conversational pragmatics
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index
Notes Online resource; title from home page (viewed on March 24, 2014)
Subject Standard language -- Philosophy
Normativity (Ethics)
PHILOSOPHY -- Ethics & Moral Philosophy.
PHILOSOPHY -- Epistemology.
Normativity (Ethics)
Philosophy & Religion.
Languages & Literatures.
Philosophy.
Philology & Linguistics.
Form Electronic book
Author Oxford University Press
ISBN 9780199347513
0199347514
9780199347506
0199347506