Ryan Nefdt
Biographic Data
| ID | 460004 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Ryan Nefdt |
| GIVEN NAMES | Ryan |
| FAMILY NAME | Nefdt |
| SIGNATURE | NEFDT R |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Cape Town |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-2118-9960 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 19 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 35 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 19 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2013 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
From naturalized to actualized thought experiments: Cognitive neuroscience, the theory gap, and the method of cases
This article addresses the relationship between philosophy and cognitive neuroscience, focusing on possible sources of experimental ideas when theoretical constructs are absent, weak, or only partly developed. We argue that philosophical thought experiments and cases provide one such source, and we examine their role and nature as conduits to actual laboratory experiments. We demonstrate that the structure of thought experiments, in ethics and in…
The Philosophy of Theoretical Linguistics: A Contemporary Outlook
What is the remit of theoretical linguistics? How are human languages different from animal calls or artificial languages? What philosophical insights about language can be gleaned from phonology, pragmatics, probabilistic linguistics, and deep learning? This book addresses the current philosophical issues at the heart of theoretical linguistics, which are widely debated not only by linguists, but also philosophers, psychologists, and computer sc…
Notational Variants and Cognition: The Case of Dependency Grammar
In recent years, dependency grammars have established themselves as valuable tools in theoretical and computational linguistics. To many linguists, dependency grammars and the more standard constituency-based formalisms are notational variants. We argue that, beyond considerations of formal equivalence, cognition may also serve as a background for a genuine comparison between these different views of syntax. In this paper, we review and evaluate …
Concepts and conceptual engineering: Answering Cappelen's challenge
In this paper, I discuss the emerging field of conceptual engineering from the perspective of the philosophy of mind and cognitive science. I explore the role the latter disciplines can and do play by specifically focusing on how different notions of what a concept is affects the general conceptual engineering framework, both positively and negatively, before considering a particular account that eschews talk of concepts altogether. I call this p…
Theoretical Linguistics and the philosophy of linguistics
In this article, I briefly explore how theoretical linguistics and philosophy are interconnected. I focus on three possibilities, and argue that the fields are most harmonious when utilised in critical reflection of a particular target, a format officially adopted in Theoretical Linguistics since 2002
The Human Mind through the Lens of Language
Journal Article The Human Mind through the Lens of Language Get access The Human Mind through the Lens of Language. Edited By Nirmalangshu Mukherji. [ Bloomsbury, 2022. Pp. ix + 266. Price $108.00 (hardback), $35.95 (paperback).] Ryan M Nefdt Ryan M Nefdt University of Cape Town, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2118-9960 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar The Philosophical Quarterly, pqae026, https:/…
Pullum’s philosophy of linguistics: Towards a unified framework
Geoffrey Pullum has produced countless contributions to linguistic theory over his 50-year career in the field. Given this exceptional scientific achievement, his philosophical work often goes underappreciated. In this article, I discuss and critique three themes from Pullum’s philosophy of linguistics, namely, cardinality neutrality, model-theoretic syntax and normativity in language. I conclude by showing how these seemingly disparate elements …
Are machines radically contextualist
In this article, I describe a novel position on the semantics of artificial intelligence. I present a problem for the current artificial neural networks used in machine learning, specifically with relation to natural language tasks. I then propose that from a metasemantic level, meaning in machines can best be interpreted as radically contextualist. Finally, I consider what this might mean for human‐level semantic competence from a comparative pe…
Motivating a Scientific Modeling Continuum: The Case of “Natural Models” in the Covid-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 global pandemic had a profound effect on scientific practice. During this time, officials crucially relied on the work done by modelers. This raises novel questions for the philosophy of science. Here I investigate the possibility of 'natural models' in predicting the SARS-Cov-2 virus’s trajectory for epidemiological purposes. I argue that to the extent that these can be considered scientific models, they support the possibility of a…
Conceptual engineering: A road map to practice
This paper discusses the logical space of alternative conceptual engineering projects, with a specific focus on (1) the processes, (2) the targets and goals, and (3) the methods of such projects. We present an overview of how these three aspects interact in the contemporary literature and discuss those alternative projects that have yet to be explored based on our suggested typology. We show how choices about each element in a conceptual engineer…
Scientific Models and Political Theory: The Ideal Theory Debate Revisited
Political philosophy has traditionally been defined as a normative discipline with a distinctively ideal component, largely informed by moral philosophy. In this paper, I investigate a prominent critique of ideal theory specifically with the goal of resituating the debate within a larger framework in the philosophy of science. I then mount a novel case for how ideal theory should be viewed in terms of scientific modelling. I close with a discussi…
Structural realism and generative linguistics
Teaching and Learning Guide for: The Philosophy of Linguistics: Scientific Underpinnings and Methodological Disputes
Infinity and the foundations of linguistics
Semantics, Metasemantics, Aboutness
Simchen's Semantics, Metasemantics, Aboutness offers a fresh take on some of the most pressing issues in the philosophy of language. It takes a distinctly metasemantic position—understood as a metaphysical pursuit—as to what determines semantic significance or meaning. Although the book is relatively short and written in a generally accessible manner, it is not an introductory text by any means. It presupposes a thorough knowledge of not only fir…
The Social Evolution of Human Nature: From Biology to Language
Harry's Smit's The Social Evolution of Human Nature: From Biology to Language is an overly ambitious work which aims to use insights from genetics, evolutionary theory and biology to address fundamental questions in human nature and the evolution of language. In what follows, I provide a brief summary and critical remarks on each chapter before concluding with what I think is the book's primary contribution and its primary failing. In the initial…
The philosophy of linguistics: Scientific underpinnings and methodological disputes
This article surveys the philosophical literature on theoretical linguistics. The focus of the paper is centred around the major debates in the philosophy of linguistics, past and present, with specific relation to how they connect to the philosophy of science. Specific issues such as scientific realism in linguistics, the scientific status of grammars, the methodological underpinnings of formal semantics, and the integration of linguistics into …
Linguistic modelling and the scientific enterprise
On the plurality of times: Disunified time and the A-series
In this paper, I investigate the nature of the metaphysical possibility of disunified time. A possibility that I argue presents unique problems for those who adhere to a strict A-theory of time, particularly those A-theorists who propose a presentist view. The first part of the paper discusses various arguments against the coherence of the concept of disunified time. I attempt to discount each of these objections and show that disunified time is …
Conceptual engineering: A road map to practice
This paper discusses the logical space of alternative conceptual engineering projects, with a specific focus on (1) the processes, (2) the targets and goals, and (3) the methods of such projects. We present an overview of how these three aspects interact in the contemporary literature and discuss those alternative projects that have yet to be explored based on our suggested typology. We show how choices about each element in a conceptual engineer…
Infinity and the foundations of linguistics
The philosophy of linguistics: Scientific underpinnings and methodological disputes
This article surveys the philosophical literature on theoretical linguistics. The focus of the paper is centred around the major debates in the philosophy of linguistics, past and present, with specific relation to how they connect to the philosophy of science. Specific issues such as scientific realism in linguistics, the scientific status of grammars, the methodological underpinnings of formal semantics, and the integration of linguistics into …
Linguistic modelling and the scientific enterprise
On the plurality of times: Disunified time and the A-series
In this paper, I investigate the nature of the metaphysical possibility of disunified time. A possibility that I argue presents unique problems for those who adhere to a strict A-theory of time, particularly those A-theorists who propose a presentist view. The first part of the paper discusses various arguments against the coherence of the concept of disunified time. I attempt to discount each of these objections and show that disunified time is …
Linguistic modelling and the scientific enterprise
Infinity and the foundations of linguistics
Semantics, Metasemantics, Aboutness
Simchen's Semantics, Metasemantics, Aboutness offers a fresh take on some of the most pressing issues in the philosophy of language. It takes a distinctly metasemantic position—understood as a metaphysical pursuit—as to what determines semantic significance or meaning. Although the book is relatively short and written in a generally accessible manner, it is not an introductory text by any means. It presupposes a thorough knowledge of not only fir…
The Social Evolution of Human Nature: From Biology to Language
Harry's Smit's The Social Evolution of Human Nature: From Biology to Language is an overly ambitious work which aims to use insights from genetics, evolutionary theory and biology to address fundamental questions in human nature and the evolution of language. In what follows, I provide a brief summary and critical remarks on each chapter before concluding with what I think is the book's primary contribution and its primary failing. In the initial…
The philosophy of linguistics: Scientific underpinnings and methodological disputes
This article surveys the philosophical literature on theoretical linguistics. The focus of the paper is centred around the major debates in the philosophy of linguistics, past and present, with specific relation to how they connect to the philosophy of science. Specific issues such as scientific realism in linguistics, the scientific status of grammars, the methodological underpinnings of formal semantics, and the integration of linguistics into …
Teaching and Learning Guide for: The Philosophy of Linguistics: Scientific Underpinnings and Methodological Disputes
Scientific Models and Political Theory: The Ideal Theory Debate Revisited
Political philosophy has traditionally been defined as a normative discipline with a distinctively ideal component, largely informed by moral philosophy. In this paper, I investigate a prominent critique of ideal theory specifically with the goal of resituating the debate within a larger framework in the philosophy of science. I then mount a novel case for how ideal theory should be viewed in terms of scientific modelling. I close with a discussi…
Structural realism and generative linguistics
Conceptual engineering: A road map to practice
This paper discusses the logical space of alternative conceptual engineering projects, with a specific focus on (1) the processes, (2) the targets and goals, and (3) the methods of such projects. We present an overview of how these three aspects interact in the contemporary literature and discuss those alternative projects that have yet to be explored based on our suggested typology. We show how choices about each element in a conceptual engineer…
Are machines radically contextualist
In this article, I describe a novel position on the semantics of artificial intelligence. I present a problem for the current artificial neural networks used in machine learning, specifically with relation to natural language tasks. I then propose that from a metasemantic level, meaning in machines can best be interpreted as radically contextualist. Finally, I consider what this might mean for human‐level semantic competence from a comparative pe…
Motivating a Scientific Modeling Continuum: The Case of “Natural Models” in the Covid-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 global pandemic had a profound effect on scientific practice. During this time, officials crucially relied on the work done by modelers. This raises novel questions for the philosophy of science. Here I investigate the possibility of 'natural models' in predicting the SARS-Cov-2 virus’s trajectory for epidemiological purposes. I argue that to the extent that these can be considered scientific models, they support the possibility of a…
The Philosophy of Theoretical Linguistics: A Contemporary Outlook
What is the remit of theoretical linguistics? How are human languages different from animal calls or artificial languages? What philosophical insights about language can be gleaned from phonology, pragmatics, probabilistic linguistics, and deep learning? This book addresses the current philosophical issues at the heart of theoretical linguistics, which are widely debated not only by linguists, but also philosophers, psychologists, and computer sc…
Notational Variants and Cognition: The Case of Dependency Grammar
In recent years, dependency grammars have established themselves as valuable tools in theoretical and computational linguistics. To many linguists, dependency grammars and the more standard constituency-based formalisms are notational variants. We argue that, beyond considerations of formal equivalence, cognition may also serve as a background for a genuine comparison between these different views of syntax. In this paper, we review and evaluate …
Concepts and conceptual engineering: Answering Cappelen's challenge
In this paper, I discuss the emerging field of conceptual engineering from the perspective of the philosophy of mind and cognitive science. I explore the role the latter disciplines can and do play by specifically focusing on how different notions of what a concept is affects the general conceptual engineering framework, both positively and negatively, before considering a particular account that eschews talk of concepts altogether. I call this p…
Theoretical Linguistics and the philosophy of linguistics
In this article, I briefly explore how theoretical linguistics and philosophy are interconnected. I focus on three possibilities, and argue that the fields are most harmonious when utilised in critical reflection of a particular target, a format officially adopted in Theoretical Linguistics since 2002
The Human Mind through the Lens of Language
Journal Article The Human Mind through the Lens of Language Get access The Human Mind through the Lens of Language. Edited By Nirmalangshu Mukherji. [ Bloomsbury, 2022. Pp. ix + 266. Price $108.00 (hardback), $35.95 (paperback).] Ryan M Nefdt Ryan M Nefdt University of Cape Town, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2118-9960 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar The Philosophical Quarterly, pqae026, https:/…
Pullum’s philosophy of linguistics: Towards a unified framework
Geoffrey Pullum has produced countless contributions to linguistic theory over his 50-year career in the field. Given this exceptional scientific achievement, his philosophical work often goes underappreciated. In this article, I discuss and critique three themes from Pullum’s philosophy of linguistics, namely, cardinality neutrality, model-theoretic syntax and normativity in language. I conclude by showing how these seemingly disparate elements …
From naturalized to actualized thought experiments: Cognitive neuroscience, the theory gap, and the method of cases
This article addresses the relationship between philosophy and cognitive neuroscience, focusing on possible sources of experimental ideas when theoretical constructs are absent, weak, or only partly developed. We argue that philosophical thought experiments and cases provide one such source, and we examine their role and nature as conduits to actual laboratory experiments. We demonstrate that the structure of thought experiments, in ethics and in…
Philosophy (17 works) · Epistemology (14 works) · Computer Science (11 works) · Linguistics (11 works) · Psychology (10 works) · Sociology (9 works) · Cognition (7 works) · Applied linguistics (6 works) · Philosophy and History of Science (6 works) · Philosophy and Theoretical Science (6 works)