Problems of Semantics

Synonymity, Intension and Intensional Isomorphism.- C. Synonymity, Pragmatic Intension and Pragmatic Criteria.- VI. The Criterion of Sense.- 1. The Formulation of the Problem.- A. Conceptions of a Criterion of Sense.- B. The Criterion of Sense and the Problem of Linguistic and Sense Intension.- 2. The Operationist Criterion of Sense.- A. Einstein's Definition of Simultaneity and the Operationist Criterion of Sense.- B. Critical Comments on the Operationist Criterion of Sense.- 3. The Verifiability Criterion of Sense.- A. Motives for the Original Version of the Verifiability Criterion.- B. Different Degrees of the Verifiability Criterion.- C. The Logical Nature of the Verifiability Criterion.- 4. The Translatability Criterion of Sense.- A. The Concept of 'Having a Sense' as a Primitive Concept of the Semantic Metalanguage.- B. Pragmatic Limitations of the Translatability Criterion.- C. The Concept of 'Having a Sense' as a Many-Place Predicate.- 5. Sense and the Empirical.- A. The Concept of 'Empirical Predicates'.- B. Dispositional Predicates.- 6. 'Theoretical Concepts' and the Relativity of the Empirical Starting Point.- A. The Problem of Scientific Empiricism.- B. The Admissibility of Theoretical Concepts.- C. Ways of Interpreting Theoretical Concepts.- 7. Problems of Sense and Reduction Procedures.- A. A Critique of Empiricist Reductionism.- B. The Ontological Aspect of Reduction; the Theory of Levels.- C. The Semantic and Pragmatic Aspects of Reduction.- VII. Vagueness.- 1. Vagueness and the Un-Sharpness of Boundaries.- A. Vagueness and the Empirical.- B. Vagueness and Theoretical Concepts and Constructions.- C. Vagueness and the So-Called Fringe.- 2. Sources of Vagueness and Ways of Analysing Vagueness.- A. The Pragmatic Aspects of Vagueness.- B. The Semantic Aspects of Vagueness.- 3. Vagueness, Ambiguity and Denotational Opacity.- A. Ambiguity.- B. Denotational Opacity.- C. Extremes and Graduated Differences.- VIII. Semantics and Some Problems of Ontology.- 1. Semantics and Ontic Decision.- A. The Use of Terms and Ontic Commitments.- B. Linguistic Framework and So-Called External and Internal Questions.- 2. Nominalism, Platonism and Semantics.- A. The Reification of Abstract Entities and the Problem of Nominalism.- B. 'Praeter Necessitatem'.- C. The Problem of Similarity and Identity.- 3. Analytical and Synthetic Aspects in the Language of Science.- A. The Traditional Problems and Tasks of Semantics.- B. Degrees of Analyticity.- C. Some Methodological Problems.- IX. An Outline of the Evaluation of the Results of Scientific Activity in Terms of Semantic Information.- 1. The Scope for Evaluating Scientific Results.- 2. Brillouin's Attempt at an Informational Evaluation of Scientific Laws.- 3. Linguistic Devices in Tasks of the Systematising Type.- 4. The Concept of 'Decision Base' and the Evaluation of a Decision Base.- 5. The Relevance of A Posteriori Data.- 6. Evaluation of the Goal Complex and the Concept of 'Epistemic Gain'.- X. The Semantics of Preference Attitudes.- 1. The Role of Preference and Preference Ordering.- 2. The Comparability Principle as a Presupposition for the Construction of a Preference System.- 3. Preferences of Things and Preferences of States of Affairs.- 4. Preference 'Ceteris Paribus'.- 5. The Concept of 'Preferable States of Affairs' as a Qualitative Concept.- 6. Preference as a Propositional Attitude.- Conclusions.- XI. The Problem of Informational Synonymity.- 1. The Traditional (Leibnizian) Criterion of Identity and the Problem of Semantic Identification.- 2. The 'Salva Veritate' Criterion.- 3. The Criterion of 'Salva Relatione' and the Concept of 'Informational Synonymity'.- 4. Informational Relevance and the Concept of 'Strict Informational Synonymity'.- XII. An Outline of the Semantic Evaluation of Graphic Communication.- 1. Introductory Remarks.- 2. Graphic Communication.- 3. The Semantics of a Picture Shape.- 4. Informational Synonymity and the Informational Evaluation of a Picture Shape.- 5. Informational Synonymity and the Time Factor.- Notes.- References.- Index of Names.- Index of Subjects.