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
| Authors | Al-Khalfa, Atheer |
|---|---|
| Type | PhD Thesis |
| Qualification name | Doctor 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. |
| Keywords | meta-semantics; knowledge maximisation; convention; confusion; David Lewis; Timothy Williamson |
| Year | 2025 |
| Publisher | Australian Catholic University |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.26199/acu.92058 |
| Page range | 1-101 |
| Final version | License File Access Level Open |
| Supplementary Files (Layperson Summary) | File Access Level Controlled |
| Output status | Published |
| Publication dates | |
| Online | 30 Jun 2025 |
| Publication process dates | |
| Completed | 01 Apr 2025 |
| Deposited | 30 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/). |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/92058/meta-semantic-problems-and-solutions
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Final version
| Al_Khalfa_2025_Meta_semantic_problems_and_solutions.pdf | |
| License: CC BY 4.0 | |
| File access level: Open | |
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Supplementary Files (Layperson Summary)
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