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Chapter 1 - Meaning Tracks Use

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2023

Martin Peterson
Martin Peterson
Affiliation:
Texas A & M University
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Summary

This chapter presents what I call the meaning-tracks-use argument for the gradualist hypothesis: (1) If the vast majority of competent language users frequently and sincerely use RIGHT and WRONG as gradable concepts, then RIGHT and WRONG are gradable concepts. (2) The antecedent of the first premise is true. (3) Therefore, RIGHT and WRONG are gradable concepts. To support the empirical part of the argument I use the tools of experimental philosophy. Results from three surveys (n = 715, 578, and 182) indicate that respondents use right and wrong as gradable terms to approximately the same extent as color terms, meaning that rightness and wrongness come in degrees roughly as much as colors do. In the largest study, only four percent persistently used right and wrong as non-gradable terms.

Keywords

experimental philosophyvector space modelsemantic similaritymultidimensional scalingSocratic midwifery effect
Type
Chapter
Information
Ethics in the Gray Area
A Gradualist Theory of Right and Wrong
 , pp. 18 - 36
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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  • Meaning Tracks Use
  • Martin Peterson, Texas A & M University
  • Book: Ethics in the Gray Area
  • Online publication: 11 May 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009336772.003
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To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

  • Meaning Tracks Use
  • Martin Peterson, Texas A & M University
  • Book: Ethics in the Gray Area
  • Online publication: 11 May 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009336772.003
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Meaning Tracks Use
  • Martin Peterson, Texas A & M University
  • Book: Ethics in the Gray Area
  • Online publication: 11 May 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009336772.003
Available formats
×