Skip to content
Carmelics
TopicsThinkersChangesContributorsLoading account…

    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

    Navigate

    • Topics
    • Search
    • Recent Changes
    • Contribute
    • How It Works
    • Glossary
    • Thinkers
    • Contributors
    • About
    • Statistics
    • Terms
    • Privacy

    Database

    Statements
    —
    Perspectives
    —
    Topics
    —

    Press ? for keyboard shortcuts

    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Grice's Cooperative Principle explains why explanatory ta... — Carmelics
    Home
    HistoryEditSee Inverse

    Part of a larger discussion

    Challenges→Explanatory talk is context-sensitive, which affects how we understand the 'because' in knowledge attributions

    Grice's Cooperative Principle explains why explanatory talk appears context-sensitive without requiring semantic context-sensitivity in the 'because' relation itself.

    ?Rate how convincing each reason is below to see the overall strength.
    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Speakers systematically flout the Cooperative Principle by omitting causally relevant but pragmatically irrelevant factors in explanations.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.The same 'because' relation can be truthfully cited with different emphases depending on conversational goals, without altering the relation's meaning.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Grice's framework explains why 'Why did the plant die?' gets different correct answers (lack of water vs. genetic weakness) without semantic ambiguity.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.If context merely controls which facts speakers mention, it doesn't explain why 'because' itself seems to mean different things (causal vs. contrastive).
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Pragmatic principles operate *after* semantic content is established; they cannot fully explain apparent shifts in what the 'because' relation *is*.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Some context-sensitivity in causal explanations requires genuine ambiguity in the causal relation itself, not just selective salience of true causes.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Sign in or register to share your perspective on this statement.

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.

    Connections

    2 topics

    Causation1 linkedPhilosophy of Language1 linked

    Related

    Explanatory talk is context-sensitive, which affects how we understand the 'beca...Grice's framework explains why 'Why did the plant die?' gets different correct a...If context merely controls which facts speakers mention, it doesn't explain why ...Pragmatic principles operate *after* semantic content is established; they canno...
    +3 moreShow less
    Some context-sensitivity in causal explanations requires genuine ambiguity in th...Speakers systematically flout the Cooperative Principle by omitting causally rel...The same 'because' relation can be truthfully cited with different emphases depe...

    Details

    Type
    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
    Edits
    1 edit