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Meta-semantic problems and solutions

Al-Khalfa, Atheer
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Al-Khalfa, Atheer
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
Date
2025
Type
PhD Thesis
Journal
Book
Volume
Issue
Page Range
1-101
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Philosophy
Faculty of Theology and Philosophy
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HDR Theses
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Al_Khalfa_2025_Meta_semantic_problems_and_solutions.pdf
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LS_Al_Khalfa_2025_Meta_semantic_problems_and_solutions.docx
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URI
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14802/6766
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DOI
10.26199/acu.92058
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Open
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Notes
This work © 2025 by Atheer Al-Khalfa is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).