Meta-semantic problems and solutions

PhD Thesis


Al-Khalfa, Atheer. (2025). Meta-semantic problems and solutions [PhD Thesis]. Australian Catholic University https://doi.org/10.26199/acu.92058
AuthorsAl-Khalfa, Atheer
TypePhD Thesis
Qualification nameDoctor of Philosophy
Abstract

The essays that comprise this dissertation bring to light several foundational challenges confronting a number of influential meta-semantic theories—those that aim to explain how the contents of utterances and beliefs are determined. In addressing these difficulties, I argue that two strategies offer a promising path forward: (1) examining the beliefs formed upon uttering or hearing a variety of complex sentences, and (2) identifying the contents that maximize knowledge across nearby possibilities. Together, these approaches help illuminate how our mental states and utterances come to represent the world.

Keywordsmeta-semantics; knowledge maximisation; convention; confusion; David Lewis; Timothy Williamson
Year2025
PublisherAustralian Catholic University
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.26199/acu.92058
Page range1-101
Final version
License
File Access Level
Open
Supplementary Files (Layperson Summary)
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online30 Jun 2025
Publication process dates
Completed01 Apr 2025
Deposited30 Jun 2025
Additional information

This work © 2025 by Atheer Al-Khalfa is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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