Arthur S. Reber
- Published in print:
- 1996
- Published Online:
- January 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780195106589
- eISBN:
- 9780199871698
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195106589.001.0001
- Subject:
- Psychology, Cognitive Psychology
The book is an extended essay on implicit learning, a topic that emerged in recent years as an important but previously overlooked process. Implicit learning is learning that takes place independent ...
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The book is an extended essay on implicit learning, a topic that emerged in recent years as an important but previously overlooked process. Implicit learning is learning that takes place independent of both the process and products of learning. It occurs without the intention to learn and largely without awareness of the nature of what has been learned. The process is “bottom-up”; information is acquired automatically when individuals focus attention on complex displays; and the knowledge base is “tacit” and largely opaque to introspection. Examples abound in everyday life, notably natural language learning and the acquisition of the mores of social behavior. A core assumption is that this implicit acquisitional mechanism is a fundamental “root” process that is based on evolutionarily old neurological structures and lies at the heart of the adaptive behavioral repertoire of every complex organism. Firstly, the book outlines the essential features of implicit learning that have emerged from controlled studies carried out over the past several decades. It also presents alternative perspectives that have been proposed and accommodates these views to the proposed theoretical model. It then structures the literature within the framework of Darwinian evolutionary biology that lies at the core of the theory. Finally, it shows how the evolutionary stance makes a series of predictions about how functions based on implicit mechanisms should differ from those mediated by consciousness.Less
The book is an extended essay on implicit learning, a topic that emerged in recent years as an important but previously overlooked process. Implicit learning is learning that takes place independent of both the process and products of learning. It occurs without the intention to learn and largely without awareness of the nature of what has been learned. The process is “bottom-up”; information is acquired automatically when individuals focus attention on complex displays; and the knowledge base is “tacit” and largely opaque to introspection. Examples abound in everyday life, notably natural language learning and the acquisition of the mores of social behavior. A core assumption is that this implicit acquisitional mechanism is a fundamental “root” process that is based on evolutionarily old neurological structures and lies at the heart of the adaptive behavioral repertoire of every complex organism. Firstly, the book outlines the essential features of implicit learning that have emerged from controlled studies carried out over the past several decades. It also presents alternative perspectives that have been proposed and accommodates these views to the proposed theoretical model. It then structures the literature within the framework of Darwinian evolutionary biology that lies at the core of the theory. Finally, it shows how the evolutionary stance makes a series of predictions about how functions based on implicit mechanisms should differ from those mediated by consciousness.
Lawrence R. Jacobs and Desmond King
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- July 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780195392135
- eISBN:
- 9780199852543
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195392135.003.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, American Politics
With the upheaval of the American economic and financial system, a large number of banks and firms are forced to declare bankruptcy while private markets and key industries have collapse as well. ...
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With the upheaval of the American economic and financial system, a large number of banks and firms are forced to declare bankruptcy while private markets and key industries have collapse as well. These reflect not only an unsustainable collection of government administrative practices and capacities but also question the legitimacy of the American state as a representative of democracy as well. In this chapter, the primary strains surrounding the American state are discussed. It also points out the deep-rooted dysfunctionalism in the operation of the American state's administrative institutions. To be able to understand current financial and economic turmoil occurring, the nature of unsustainability is presented in detail. Situated functionalism value in studying state sustainability is also illustrated.Less
With the upheaval of the American economic and financial system, a large number of banks and firms are forced to declare bankruptcy while private markets and key industries have collapse as well. These reflect not only an unsustainable collection of government administrative practices and capacities but also question the legitimacy of the American state as a representative of democracy as well. In this chapter, the primary strains surrounding the American state are discussed. It also points out the deep-rooted dysfunctionalism in the operation of the American state's administrative institutions. To be able to understand current financial and economic turmoil occurring, the nature of unsustainability is presented in detail. Situated functionalism value in studying state sustainability is also illustrated.
Michael P. Lynch
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- May 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199218738
- eISBN:
- 9780191711794
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199218738.001.0001
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Metaphysics/Epistemology, Philosophy of Language
What is truth? This book defends a new answer to this question. Traditional theories of truth hold that truth has only a single uniform nature. All truths are true in the same way. More recent ...
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What is truth? This book defends a new answer to this question. Traditional theories of truth hold that truth has only a single uniform nature. All truths are true in the same way. More recent deflationary theories claim that truth has no nature at all. This book rejects both extremes and defends the thesis that truth is a functional property. To understand truth we must understand what it does, its function in our cognitive economy. Once we do that, we'll see that this function can be performed in more than one way. And that in turn opens the door to an appealing pluralism. Beliefs about the concrete physical world needn't be true in the same way as our thoughts about matters — like morality — where the human stain is deepest.Less
What is truth? This book defends a new answer to this question. Traditional theories of truth hold that truth has only a single uniform nature. All truths are true in the same way. More recent deflationary theories claim that truth has no nature at all. This book rejects both extremes and defends the thesis that truth is a functional property. To understand truth we must understand what it does, its function in our cognitive economy. Once we do that, we'll see that this function can be performed in more than one way. And that in turn opens the door to an appealing pluralism. Beliefs about the concrete physical world needn't be true in the same way as our thoughts about matters — like morality — where the human stain is deepest.
Paul Livingston
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199272457
- eISBN:
- 9780191709951
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199272457.003.0002
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind
The functionalist theory of mind is essentially a formal theory, drawing its plausibility largely from an appreciation of the logic and conception grammar of terms of psychological description. In ...
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The functionalist theory of mind is essentially a formal theory, drawing its plausibility largely from an appreciation of the logic and conception grammar of terms of psychological description. In this respect, the functionalist theory of mind exhibits significant methodological continuities with the phenomenological tradition. However, despite its successes, many philosophers believe that functionalism leaves out the central explanatory concept of phenomenology, that of immediate, subjective experience. This chapter analyzes the history of the development of functionalism, showing how it developed as a response to the problems of meaning and reference of psychological terms left open by earlier theories. This suggests new ways of viewing the sources of functionalism's continued problems with explaining consciousness.Less
The functionalist theory of mind is essentially a formal theory, drawing its plausibility largely from an appreciation of the logic and conception grammar of terms of psychological description. In this respect, the functionalist theory of mind exhibits significant methodological continuities with the phenomenological tradition. However, despite its successes, many philosophers believe that functionalism leaves out the central explanatory concept of phenomenology, that of immediate, subjective experience. This chapter analyzes the history of the development of functionalism, showing how it developed as a response to the problems of meaning and reference of psychological terms left open by earlier theories. This suggests new ways of viewing the sources of functionalism's continued problems with explaining consciousness.
Richard Hyland
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- September 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780195343366
- eISBN:
- 9780199867776
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195343366.001.0001
- Subject:
- Law, Comparative Law
This book studies the law governing the giving and revocation of gifts. Gift-giving is everywhere governed by social and customary norms before it encounters the law. Moreover, the giving of gifts ...
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This book studies the law governing the giving and revocation of gifts. Gift-giving is everywhere governed by social and customary norms before it encounters the law. Moreover, the giving of gifts takes place largely outside of the marketplace. As a result of these two characteristics, the law of gifts provides a lens through which to examine how different legal systems confront social practice. The law of gifts is well-developed both in the civil and the common laws. This book studies how the different civil and common law jurisdictions confront common issues. The legal systems discussed include for the common law those of England, the United States, and India, and, in the civil law, the private law systems of Belgium and France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. This book also provides a critique of a principal method of comparative law, which is a form of functionalism based on what is called the praesumptio similitudinis, namely the axiom that once legal doctrine is stripped away, developed legal systems tend to reach similar practical results. As this study makes clear, legal systems actually differ, not only in their approach and conceptual structure, but just as much in the results. More importantly, this study rejects functionalism in favor of an interpretist method derived from cultural anthropology.Less
This book studies the law governing the giving and revocation of gifts. Gift-giving is everywhere governed by social and customary norms before it encounters the law. Moreover, the giving of gifts takes place largely outside of the marketplace. As a result of these two characteristics, the law of gifts provides a lens through which to examine how different legal systems confront social practice. The law of gifts is well-developed both in the civil and the common laws. This book studies how the different civil and common law jurisdictions confront common issues. The legal systems discussed include for the common law those of England, the United States, and India, and, in the civil law, the private law systems of Belgium and France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. This book also provides a critique of a principal method of comparative law, which is a form of functionalism based on what is called the praesumptio similitudinis, namely the axiom that once legal doctrine is stripped away, developed legal systems tend to reach similar practical results. As this study makes clear, legal systems actually differ, not only in their approach and conceptual structure, but just as much in the results. More importantly, this study rejects functionalism in favor of an interpretist method derived from cultural anthropology.
A. H. Halsey
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- April 2004
- ISBN:
- 9780199266609
- eISBN:
- 9780191601019
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199266603.003.0004
- Subject:
- Political Science, UK Politics
Before 1950 sociology in Britain scarcely existed. The subject was almost exclusively confined to the London School of Economics. But there were at least a dozen well‐known names. Spencer, Booth, and ...
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Before 1950 sociology in Britain scarcely existed. The subject was almost exclusively confined to the London School of Economics. But there were at least a dozen well‐known names. Spencer, Booth, and Rowntree had no academic connections. Three were Scots—Geddes, Branford, and McIver: of the others, Sidney and Beatrice Webb, Westermaark, Hobhouse, Beveridge, Ginsberg, T.H. Marshall, Mannheim, and Carr‐Saunders were connected with LSE. Barbara Wootton was at Bedford College, London. Each one is treated here briefly and biographically. There is briefly also, a comparison with social anthropology up to 1950. No equivalent to the Parsonian school of American functionalism emerged: there was no Weber circle, no Durkheimian, or Chicagoan school established.Less
Before 1950 sociology in Britain scarcely existed. The subject was almost exclusively confined to the London School of Economics. But there were at least a dozen well‐known names. Spencer, Booth, and Rowntree had no academic connections. Three were Scots—Geddes, Branford, and McIver: of the others, Sidney and Beatrice Webb, Westermaark, Hobhouse, Beveridge, Ginsberg, T.H. Marshall, Mannheim, and Carr‐Saunders were connected with LSE. Barbara Wootton was at Bedford College, London. Each one is treated here briefly and biographically. There is briefly also, a comparison with social anthropology up to 1950. No equivalent to the Parsonian school of American functionalism emerged: there was no Weber circle, no Durkheimian, or Chicagoan school established.
A. H. Halsey
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- April 2004
- ISBN:
- 9780199266609
- eISBN:
- 9780191601019
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199266603.003.0005
- Subject:
- Political Science, UK Politics
A dozen sociologists attended LSE in the aftermath of the Second World War. They were the first generation of professional sociologist in Britain. This chapter offers an account of their origins, the ...
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A dozen sociologists attended LSE in the aftermath of the Second World War. They were the first generation of professional sociologist in Britain. This chapter offers an account of their origins, the subject they learnt, the influence of Glass and Shils on them, their anti‐Marxist but left‐wing orientation, their suspicion of functionalism, and their contribution of a sociological description of British society—its demography, class structure, ethnic composition, religion, industry, and crime.Less
A dozen sociologists attended LSE in the aftermath of the Second World War. They were the first generation of professional sociologist in Britain. This chapter offers an account of their origins, the subject they learnt, the influence of Glass and Shils on them, their anti‐Marxist but left‐wing orientation, their suspicion of functionalism, and their contribution of a sociological description of British society—its demography, class structure, ethnic composition, religion, industry, and crime.
Stephen Everson
- Published in print:
- 1999
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780198238638
- eISBN:
- 9780191597374
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0198238630.001.0001
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Ancient Philosophy
In this book, Stephen Everson offers a comprehensive investigation of Aristotle's account of perception. Everson explains how Aristotle accounts for our ability to perceive such things as colours and ...
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In this book, Stephen Everson offers a comprehensive investigation of Aristotle's account of perception. Everson explains how Aristotle accounts for our ability to perceive such things as colours and sounds, as well as material objects. Everson has two main aims: the first is to place Aristotle's theory of mind within the context of his natural science, in particular, to show that Aristotle's account of perception is an application of the explanatory method of the Physics. To this end, Everson is keen to emphasize, against recent interpretations, that Aristotle explains perception in terms of material changes in the organs that possess perceptual capacities. The second aim is to argue that Aristotle's resulting method of explaining mental activity has substantive advantages over contemporary accounts in the philosophy of mind, such as functionalism and supervenience. Much of Everson's argument is directed against Myles Burnyeat's interpretation of Aristotle’ philosophy of mind. According to Burnyeat, Aristotle argues that the sense organs undergo alteration without undergoing any material change: Everson calls this reading, the ‘spiritualist’ reading. Everson opposes this with the ‘literalist’ reading, according to which a sense organ is physically altered whenever it perceives something; it therefore takes on a property of the sensible object that affects it. In order to defend this reading, Everson presents a detailed account of the role of matter and material change in the perceptual activities of the each of the individual senses, and also of the perceptual system as a unified whole, including the activities of phantasia or imagination.Less
In this book, Stephen Everson offers a comprehensive investigation of Aristotle's account of perception. Everson explains how Aristotle accounts for our ability to perceive such things as colours and sounds, as well as material objects. Everson has two main aims: the first is to place Aristotle's theory of mind within the context of his natural science, in particular, to show that Aristotle's account of perception is an application of the explanatory method of the Physics. To this end, Everson is keen to emphasize, against recent interpretations, that Aristotle explains perception in terms of material changes in the organs that possess perceptual capacities. The second aim is to argue that Aristotle's resulting method of explaining mental activity has substantive advantages over contemporary accounts in the philosophy of mind, such as functionalism and supervenience. Much of Everson's argument is directed against Myles Burnyeat's interpretation of Aristotle’ philosophy of mind. According to Burnyeat, Aristotle argues that the sense organs undergo alteration without undergoing any material change: Everson calls this reading, the ‘spiritualist’ reading. Everson opposes this with the ‘literalist’ reading, according to which a sense organ is physically altered whenever it perceives something; it therefore takes on a property of the sensible object that affects it. In order to defend this reading, Everson presents a detailed account of the role of matter and material change in the perceptual activities of the each of the individual senses, and also of the perceptual system as a unified whole, including the activities of phantasia or imagination.
Derek Drinkwater
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- April 2005
- ISBN:
- 9780199273850
- eISBN:
- 9780191602344
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199273855.003.0007
- Subject:
- Political Science, International Relations and Politics
Sir Harold Nicolson’s writings on federalism, peace, and war are among his most important—and underrated—contributions to international theory. From the mid-1930s, with the European security ...
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Sir Harold Nicolson’s writings on federalism, peace, and war are among his most important—and underrated—contributions to international theory. From the mid-1930s, with the European security situation deteriorating rapidly, Nicolson became increasingly interested in how war could be banished from international affairs and enduring global peace attained. In particular, he explored (or was influenced by) the approaches to a united Europe and world government of the advocates of Federal Union and Pan-Europa, and the exponents of functionalism. His philosophy of federalism has many parallels with the ideas of Immanuel Kant. Yet, Nicolson’s fusion of idealism and realism (to form liberal realism) constituted a new approach to resolving these seemingly intractable problems.Less
Sir Harold Nicolson’s writings on federalism, peace, and war are among his most important—and underrated—contributions to international theory. From the mid-1930s, with the European security situation deteriorating rapidly, Nicolson became increasingly interested in how war could be banished from international affairs and enduring global peace attained. In particular, he explored (or was influenced by) the approaches to a united Europe and world government of the advocates of Federal Union and Pan-Europa, and the exponents of functionalism. His philosophy of federalism has many parallels with the ideas of Immanuel Kant. Yet, Nicolson’s fusion of idealism and realism (to form liberal realism) constituted a new approach to resolving these seemingly intractable problems.
Daniel Stoljar
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2006
- ISBN:
- 9780195306583
- eISBN:
- 9780199786619
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0195306589.003.0010
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Metaphysics/Epistemology
In this chapter, an analogous argument in the case of the a priori entailment view is advanced. On the one hand, the mere idea of priori entailment will not answer the argument — further material ...
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In this chapter, an analogous argument in the case of the a priori entailment view is advanced. On the one hand, the mere idea of priori entailment will not answer the argument — further material needs to be added. On the other hand, an examination of what this further material might be yields the result that either the a priori entailment view has no answer to the arguments, or else collapses into the epistemic view.Less
In this chapter, an analogous argument in the case of the a priori entailment view is advanced. On the one hand, the mere idea of priori entailment will not answer the argument — further material needs to be added. On the other hand, an examination of what this further material might be yields the result that either the a priori entailment view has no answer to the arguments, or else collapses into the epistemic view.
Gilbert Harman
- Published in print:
- 1999
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780198238027
- eISBN:
- 9780191597633
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0198238029.001.0001
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind
Many themes in the papers collected here are negative: there is no a priori knowledge or analytic truth; logic is not a theory of reasoning; a theory of truth conditions is not a theory of meaning; a ...
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Many themes in the papers collected here are negative: there is no a priori knowledge or analytic truth; logic is not a theory of reasoning; a theory of truth conditions is not a theory of meaning; a purely objective account of meaning or mind cannot say what words mean or what it is like to see things in colour. Other themes are positive: theoretical reasoning has important practical aspects; meaning depends on how words are used to think with i.e. on how concepts function in reasoning, perception and action; the relevant uses or functions relate concepts to aspects of the environment and other things in the world; translation plays a central role in any adequate account of mind or meaning.Less
Many themes in the papers collected here are negative: there is no a priori knowledge or analytic truth; logic is not a theory of reasoning; a theory of truth conditions is not a theory of meaning; a purely objective account of meaning or mind cannot say what words mean or what it is like to see things in colour. Other themes are positive: theoretical reasoning has important practical aspects; meaning depends on how words are used to think with i.e. on how concepts function in reasoning, perception and action; the relevant uses or functions relate concepts to aspects of the environment and other things in the world; translation plays a central role in any adequate account of mind or meaning.
Sean McKeever and Michael Ridge
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- May 2006
- ISBN:
- 9780199290659
- eISBN:
- 9780191603617
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199290652.003.0005
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Moral Philosophy
According to one dimension of the generalist tradition, moral principles are built into the very meaning of moral predicates. They are analytic truths, and thus anyone who is in fact competent with a ...
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According to one dimension of the generalist tradition, moral principles are built into the very meaning of moral predicates. They are analytic truths, and thus anyone who is in fact competent with a given moral concept is (perhaps implicitly) committed to the associated principle that spells out the object to which the concept applies. On this view, certain moral principles are constitutive of moral thought and judgment; this view is called ‘constitutive generalism’. This chapter defends a form of generalism and it argues against constitutive generalism by deploying a version of G. E. Moore’s Open Question Argument.Less
According to one dimension of the generalist tradition, moral principles are built into the very meaning of moral predicates. They are analytic truths, and thus anyone who is in fact competent with a given moral concept is (perhaps implicitly) committed to the associated principle that spells out the object to which the concept applies. On this view, certain moral principles are constitutive of moral thought and judgment; this view is called ‘constitutive generalism’. This chapter defends a form of generalism and it argues against constitutive generalism by deploying a version of G. E. Moore’s Open Question Argument.
Susan J. Palmer and David G. Bromley
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780195177299
- eISBN:
- 9780199785537
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195177299.003.0007
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society
This chapter argues that myth and ritual in NRMs are oppositional in nature, challenging the status quo with “deliberate heresies”. Examples from the Rajneesh, The Family, the Raelians, ...
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This chapter argues that myth and ritual in NRMs are oppositional in nature, challenging the status quo with “deliberate heresies”. Examples from the Rajneesh, The Family, the Raelians, Unificationism, and others illustrate the spontaneous, improvisational “concocted” quality of NRM myths and rituals since their founder-prophets are myth-makers. The research on myth and ritual conducted by scholars in new religious studies is surveyed, and the various theoretical and disciplinary approaches to understanding the meaning and function of these two forms of religious expression in established traditions are outlined. Finally, practical teaching exercises designed to help students research NRMs and understand the qualities and function of myth and ritual are proposed.Less
This chapter argues that myth and ritual in NRMs are oppositional in nature, challenging the status quo with “deliberate heresies”. Examples from the Rajneesh, The Family, the Raelians, Unificationism, and others illustrate the spontaneous, improvisational “concocted” quality of NRM myths and rituals since their founder-prophets are myth-makers. The research on myth and ritual conducted by scholars in new religious studies is surveyed, and the various theoretical and disciplinary approaches to understanding the meaning and function of these two forms of religious expression in established traditions are outlined. Finally, practical teaching exercises designed to help students research NRMs and understand the qualities and function of myth and ritual are proposed.
Frederick J. Newmeyer
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199274338
- eISBN:
- 9780191706479
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199274338.003.0005
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Language Families
This chapter addresses the question of how direct the linkage is between functional pressures and the typological distribution of formal elements that represents a response to those pressures. It ...
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This chapter addresses the question of how direct the linkage is between functional pressures and the typological distribution of formal elements that represents a response to those pressures. It contrasts two positions on the question: one of which maintains that the link between grammatical constructs and functional motivations is very close, the other that maintains that the relationship between the two is extremely indirect. The latter position is shown to be the correct one.Less
This chapter addresses the question of how direct the linkage is between functional pressures and the typological distribution of formal elements that represents a response to those pressures. It contrasts two positions on the question: one of which maintains that the link between grammatical constructs and functional motivations is very close, the other that maintains that the relationship between the two is extremely indirect. The latter position is shown to be the correct one.
Ken Lodge
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780748625659
- eISBN:
- 9780748671410
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Edinburgh University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3366/edinburgh/9780748625659.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Phonetics / Phonology
An investigation of the criteria needed to determine sameness and difference in the classification of items of phonological relevance. Reliance on phonetic substance and meaningful contrast as the ...
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An investigation of the criteria needed to determine sameness and difference in the classification of items of phonological relevance. Reliance on phonetic substance and meaningful contrast as the criteria for phonological analysis is insufficient; an appeal to the function of the items to be classified is also necessary in many cases. A declarative account of phonology is proposed which is nonsegmental and polysystemic; derivation is excluded from the grammar. What counts as the same phonological item is investigated in a number of phenomena in different languages. Separate chapters are devoted to the issues of biuniqueness and monosystemicity, segmentation, and phonetic implementation and abstractness; a final chapter deals with panlectal grammars.Less
An investigation of the criteria needed to determine sameness and difference in the classification of items of phonological relevance. Reliance on phonetic substance and meaningful contrast as the criteria for phonological analysis is insufficient; an appeal to the function of the items to be classified is also necessary in many cases. A declarative account of phonology is proposed which is nonsegmental and polysystemic; derivation is excluded from the grammar. What counts as the same phonological item is investigated in a number of phenomena in different languages. Separate chapters are devoted to the issues of biuniqueness and monosystemicity, segmentation, and phonetic implementation and abstractness; a final chapter deals with panlectal grammars.
Frederick J. Newmeyer
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199274338
- eISBN:
- 9780191706479
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199274338.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Language Families
This book takes on the question of language variety, addressing the question of why some language types are impossible and why some grammatical features are more common than others. The task of ...
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This book takes on the question of language variety, addressing the question of why some language types are impossible and why some grammatical features are more common than others. The task of trying to explain typological variation among languages has been mainly undertaken by functionally-oriented linguists. Generative grammarians entering the field of typology in the 1980s put forward the idea that cross-linguistic differences could be explained by linguistic parameters within Universal Grammar, whose operation might vary from language to language. Unfortunately, this way of looking at variation turned out to be much less successful than was hoped for. The alternative to parameters is presented, which combines leading ideas from functionalist and formalist approaches that in the past have been considered incompatible. It throws fresh light on language typology and variation, and provides new insights into the principles of Universal Grammar.Less
This book takes on the question of language variety, addressing the question of why some language types are impossible and why some grammatical features are more common than others. The task of trying to explain typological variation among languages has been mainly undertaken by functionally-oriented linguists. Generative grammarians entering the field of typology in the 1980s put forward the idea that cross-linguistic differences could be explained by linguistic parameters within Universal Grammar, whose operation might vary from language to language. Unfortunately, this way of looking at variation turned out to be much less successful than was hoped for. The alternative to parameters is presented, which combines leading ideas from functionalist and formalist approaches that in the past have been considered incompatible. It throws fresh light on language typology and variation, and provides new insights into the principles of Universal Grammar.
Nick Zangwill
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199261871
- eISBN:
- 9780191718670
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199261871.003.0007
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Aesthetics
This chapter puts forward a view of the metaphysics of art that delivers conditions for the identity or survival of a work of art across time. This metaphysics is a consequence of the Aesthetic ...
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This chapter puts forward a view of the metaphysics of art that delivers conditions for the identity or survival of a work of art across time. This metaphysics is a consequence of the Aesthetic Creation Theory put forward in Chapter 2 called ‘Aesthetic Functionalism’. It proposes an account of the cross-time identity of functional things quite generally, which also applies to works of art. This leads to a denial that the material composition of a work of art is essential to it. It then proposes a way of understanding the fact that particular works of art may have many non-aesthetic functions that are essential to them, as well as their essential aesthetic functions. Appropriation — artistic and non-artistic — is discussed.Less
This chapter puts forward a view of the metaphysics of art that delivers conditions for the identity or survival of a work of art across time. This metaphysics is a consequence of the Aesthetic Creation Theory put forward in Chapter 2 called ‘Aesthetic Functionalism’. It proposes an account of the cross-time identity of functional things quite generally, which also applies to works of art. This leads to a denial that the material composition of a work of art is essential to it. It then proposes a way of understanding the fact that particular works of art may have many non-aesthetic functions that are essential to them, as well as their essential aesthetic functions. Appropriation — artistic and non-artistic — is discussed.
Pieter A. M. Seuren
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- May 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199559473
- eISBN:
- 9780191721137
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199559473.003.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Semantics and Pragmatics, Psycholinguistics / Neurolinguistics / Cognitive Linguistics
This chapter describes the ontological, cognitive, and methodological foundations of language studies, discussing in particular the relation between realism and formalism and advocating non‐hardware ...
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This chapter describes the ontological, cognitive, and methodological foundations of language studies, discussing in particular the relation between realism and formalism and advocating non‐hardware cognitive realism. It contains a critique of cognitivism, pragmatics, and functionalism, ending with an assessment of studies relating to the innateness hypothesis and language genesis.Less
This chapter describes the ontological, cognitive, and methodological foundations of language studies, discussing in particular the relation between realism and formalism and advocating non‐hardware cognitive realism. It contains a critique of cognitivism, pragmatics, and functionalism, ending with an assessment of studies relating to the innateness hypothesis and language genesis.
Günter P. Wagner
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691156460
- eISBN:
- 9781400851461
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691156460.003.0002
- Subject:
- Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
This chapter explores variational structuralism, whose core idea is that organisms and their parts play causal roles in shaping the patterns of phenotypic evolution. Drawing on the work of pioneers ...
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This chapter explores variational structuralism, whose core idea is that organisms and their parts play causal roles in shaping the patterns of phenotypic evolution. Drawing on the work of pioneers such as Ron Amundson, it discusses the conceptual incompatibilities between two styles of thinking in evolutionary biology: functionalism and structuralism. It proceeds by explaining the meaning of developmental types and structuralist concepts arising from macromolecular studies. It also examines facts and ideas about bodies, Rupert Riedl's theory of the “immitatory epigenotype,” and Neil Shubin and Pere Alberch's developmental interpretation of tetrapod limbs. Finally, it looks at the emergence of molecular structuralism and the enigma of developmental variation. The chapter argues that typology naturally emerged from the facts of evolutionary developmental biology and that it would be seriously problematic to try to avoid it.Less
This chapter explores variational structuralism, whose core idea is that organisms and their parts play causal roles in shaping the patterns of phenotypic evolution. Drawing on the work of pioneers such as Ron Amundson, it discusses the conceptual incompatibilities between two styles of thinking in evolutionary biology: functionalism and structuralism. It proceeds by explaining the meaning of developmental types and structuralist concepts arising from macromolecular studies. It also examines facts and ideas about bodies, Rupert Riedl's theory of the “immitatory epigenotype,” and Neil Shubin and Pere Alberch's developmental interpretation of tetrapod limbs. Finally, it looks at the emergence of molecular structuralism and the enigma of developmental variation. The chapter argues that typology naturally emerged from the facts of evolutionary developmental biology and that it would be seriously problematic to try to avoid it.
Wolfram Hinzen
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199289257
- eISBN:
- 9780191706424
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199289257.003.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology
This chapter reviews current 20th-century philosophical and biological traditions that deny human nature as a valid concept of inquiry. These include most traditions of both continental and analytic ...
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This chapter reviews current 20th-century philosophical and biological traditions that deny human nature as a valid concept of inquiry. These include most traditions of both continental and analytic philosophy; various versions of evolutionary psychology and ‘New Synthesis’ biology; functionalism; and eliminative materialism. Opposing all of these traditions, the chapter also introduces the notion of human mind design as an empirical topic for rational inquiry similar to that of early modern ‘natural philosophy’.Less
This chapter reviews current 20th-century philosophical and biological traditions that deny human nature as a valid concept of inquiry. These include most traditions of both continental and analytic philosophy; various versions of evolutionary psychology and ‘New Synthesis’ biology; functionalism; and eliminative materialism. Opposing all of these traditions, the chapter also introduces the notion of human mind design as an empirical topic for rational inquiry similar to that of early modern ‘natural philosophy’.
