What Logics Mean
From Proof Theory to Model-Theoretic Semantics

This book explains how the meanings of the symbols of logic are determined by the rules that govern them.

James W. Garson (Author)

9781107611962, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 14 November 2013

260 pages
24.6 x 17.5 x 1.6 cm, 0.53 kg

What do the rules of logic say about the meanings of the symbols they govern? In this book, James W. Garson examines the inferential behaviour of logical connectives (such as 'and', 'or', 'not' and 'if … then'), whose behaviour is defined by strict rules, and proves definitive results concerning exactly what those rules express about connective truth conditions. He explores the ways in which, depending on circumstances, a system of rules may provide no interpretation of a connective at all, or the interpretation we ordinarily expect for it, or an unfamiliar or novel interpretation. He also shows how the novel interpretations thus generated may be used to help analyse philosophical problems such as vagueness and the open future. His book will be valuable for graduates and specialists in logic, philosophy of logic, and philosophy of language.

Preface
1. Introduction to model-theoretic inferentialism
2. Deductive expression
3. Local expression
4. Global expression
5. Intuitionistic semantics
6. Conditionals
7. Disjunction
8. Negation
9. Supervaluations and natural semantics
10. Natural semantics for an open future
11. The expressive power of sequent calculi
12. Soundness and completeness for natural semantics
13. Connections with proof-theoretic semantics
14. Quantifiers
15. Natural semantics and vagueness
16. Modal logic
Summary.

Subject Areas: Cognitivism, cognitive theory [JMAQ], Philosophy: logic [HPL], Philosophy of language [CFA], Linguistics [CF]