Translation and the paradox of analysis
A reflection on Wiredu's notion of tongue dependency
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21335292 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Bernhard Weiss (University of Cape Town, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2022 |
| Pages | 1-18 |
| Publication date | 2022-11-07 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Inquiry (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0020-174X • E-ISSN: 1502-3923 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/0020174x.2022.2135825 |
| OpenAlex | W4308438150 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 7 |
Wiredu argues intriguingly that some philosophical questions only arise in certain linguistic settings. So philosophical questions are, on occasion, linguistically relative or, more vividly, Tongue Dependent. The phenomenon however does not rest on expressive differences between languages, or, better, on failures of translation. Though rejecting his example, I endorse the general possibility he constructs. I do so provided that there is a solution to the Paradox of Analysis. Indeed I point out that the possibility of Tongue Dependency is both necessary and sufficient for a solution to the Paradox of Analysis. I then offer a solution to the Paradox of Analysis in a Fregean setting, by distinguishing within the cognitive value of a claim between cognitive accomplishment and cognitive significance. The results of analysis involve cognitive accomplishment, though have no cognitive significance. I recommend my account as dealing well with a problem Salmon raised for the Church-Frege account. Finally, I direct my account on vocabularies rather than claims and note that, though possible, actual cases of Tongue Dependency within natural languages are highly doubtful. The phenomenon does not have the cultural significance Wiredu claims for it
Cognition · Cognitive psychology · Cognitive science · Dependency (UML) · Epistemology · Linguistics · Phenomenon · Point (geometry) · Tip of the tongue · Tongue · Value (mathematics) · Artificial Intelligence · Computer Science · Mathematics · Philosophy · Philosophy and Theoretical Science · Pragmatism in Philosophy and Education · Psychology · Syntax, Semantics, Linguistic Variation
| Highly cited | No |
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